Keegan McInroe

24.09.2024

Wuppertal

Dusty Passports & Empty Beds Tour Germany 2024

Keegan McInroe is a Fort Worth/Texas based singer/songwriter. In his songs he tells stories of life, poems, and occasionally forays into politics. So far he has shared the stage with Otis Taylor, Carolyn Wonderland, Ian Moore, and many other artists.

On that September evening the gig took place at the old, dignified train station (Wuppertal)-Vohwinkel. Next to the old counter hall in the building the Bürgerbahnhof Vohwinkel, a small venue, is located. Smaller concerts and other cultural happenings take place here quite regularly. And right here was Keegan’s place to be. Authenticity at its best. A place that invites to linger, along with a touch of romantic railroad feeling.

Right at 7 p.m. the artist entered this place of musical magic. And this was exactly what he presented for the next 120 minutes. Accompanied on his acoustic guitar he started with „Old road”, a song from his current album “Agnes” (released 2023). A sleazy, dark blues song, telling us about the unfortunate nature taking its course, whilst inviting to enjoy life as long as possible. McInroe says in this song: ‚It’s an old road, get off when you get on it… the undertaker’s gonna make money, but it don’t have to be today ‘......

The audience of somewhat 30 people was mesmerized by his declamation of sound, and was immediately spellbound by his warm and smoky voice. The Texan seemingly enjoyed the authentic atmosphere and told an anecdote with each song. Whether „Get no better“, „Dusty passports and empty beds“, „Blackout beauty“, or „Summers end“, Keegan relaxed and emotional led the audience through his first set, presenting a cross section of his repertoire as well as songs from his current album „Agnes“. His songs got deeply under the skin of quite a lot of the listeners, which could be seen in their moved expressions. Now and then the driving noise of a Cola Can (nickname for the American Amtrak locomotives, series No. P32BHW, which by Amtrak received a colorful paintjob that reminds one of a popular soda), making its way towards El Paso/Texas. But no – it was just the next regional train heading to Dortmund.

This little fact did not distract from the artist’s performance one bit, at this point presenting „Stoned and broken hearted“, also from „Agnes“, in which three different protagonists are joined by the feeling that their current state of life is not what they would call satisfactory or fulfilling. Whether it is a disappointed mother with her child, or a guy lying on the ground, surrounded by a mob. Nobody is happy here… (broken hearted). It’s quite the opposite looking at the audience in this cozy place in the station, where Keegan is presenting his stories in a musical way. The old station in which we find ourselves, really was the perfect setting for the artists performance. But maybe it wasn’t this place, this venerable train station, but the music itself, nourishing the longing. The longing for more stories about life, society, and love. Closing out this first set, the American covered Robert Johnson’s „Dust my broom“.

Meanwhile the freight train heading to the desert sped up, moving its way past landscapes dominated by rough mountains and seemingly endless open fields. A picture like a moment of hope and inexplicable desire in your heart, as if the unknown was able to fulfill everything, that until now only existed in dreams. Then, suddenly the sound of hands clapping, and I was back in the presence, with the train again being yet another regional train, this time with destination Cologne. Having enjoyed a cold blond (beer), the American returned to the small podium starting the second set. Once again, a musical journey through stories of America began. Wonderful! The songs and sounds of Keegan McInroe fueled the audience’s joyful feelings. So, it continued with „Simple twist of fate“, „Little red rooster“, and „Never seen a ghost“. Always accompanied by little anecdotes.

Just as the Amtrak locomotive with all its freight reaches the desert of Arizona, the setting celestial body paints the surroundings in a glowing orange. Endless sunburned terrain, sparse hills, mute cactuses, flickering in the heat of the last sun rays. Time seems to be standing still, and yet the train incessantly keeps on moving as if being a symbol for all that is affecting the people, without them being able to reach it. On site, in Wuppertal, the sky is rather dull and grey. But in the presence of the Texan, this is of no concern.

Keegans brilliant performance on this night is also reaching its destination, namely the end. We were spoiled with a grand encore, „John Brown“, originally written by Bob Dylan in October 1962. Keegans interpretation was full of authenticity and appreciation - non the less a song by the “master” himself, an anti-war song, based on traditional melodies and themes, telling the story of a mother, who is proud of her son heading into war. He returns severely wounded, reflecting upon the fact, that the enemy is basically looking just like himself; then handing his medals over to his mother. With „Big year“ McInroe finally rounds up the evening. A night full of emotions, stories, and anecdotes, making this concert an unforgettable event.

Thank you, Keegan, do come back soon!