If you’ve ever listened to or seen Vulfpeck, you know full well that Theo Katzman was bound to strike out on his own in a big way at some point. His bookish look has long belied his ability to captivate a crowd, be it with his skill on the piano, drums and guitar, his voracious vocal range or his sheer charisma on stage. So when it came time for the Long Island native to headline his own show at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, you knew he’d be well prepared.
Katzman laid the foundation in 2011 with his debut album Romance Without Finance, but that was before Vulfpeck became an underground sensation. In 2017, he re-emerged with Heartbreak Hits, an upbeat pop album about the trials and tribulations of relationships gone wrong. It features hints of the funk, soul and jazz that have become Vulfpeck’s signatures, but is carried, at its core, by Katzman’s playful lyrics, ear-searing vocals and absorbing spirit.
All of that (and more) was on full display at the Troubadour on a rainy Thursday night in LLLLLAAAAA. Katzman, with Joe Dart joining him on the bass, was as incontrovertible as ever, but now without even what few boundaries Vulfpeck might otherwise erect. With his sleeves torn off and his chest hair peeking through his altered jean jacket, Theo hit every note, as much with his pipes as the variety of vibes upon which he’s built a catalog of infectious tunes.
He rocked out, high pitches and all, to “Hard Work”, “Lost and Found”, “My Heart is Dead” and “As the Romans Do”, the last sans jacket. He got soulful for “Break up Together” and country for “Good to Be Alone” and “Plain Jane Heroin”. He channeled Jason Mraz on “Crappy Love Songs” and “Pop Song”, and tapped into his inner John Mayer for “My 1-Bedroom” and “Love is a Beautiful Thing,” the latter with an acapella lead-in from his spectacular backing band.
Theo was at once meticulously commanding of the spotlight and gracious in his willingness (if not desire) to share it. He half-jokingly asked that the sold-out crowd of 500 people—as musically attuned as any seen at a Vulfpeck show—join him for the choruses but leave the verses for him to stand out. He shared his story of moving to LA in 2015, his love for friend, fellow Michigan grad and occasional bandmate Joey Dosik; and how thrilled he was to draw his own audience, let alone one so large and shot through with such enthusiasm for his music.
And, of course, he collaborated…while stealing the show. That was certainly true when he came on stage to accompany Bridget Kearney, his able opener and member of Lake Street Dive, for her song “Love Doctor” and when she later came out to join him on a stirring rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s “Say That You Love Me.” Katzman didn’t need any help putting his own intensely falsetto spin on The Eagles’ “One of These Nights,” but did get a spectacular bass solo from Dart as the lead-in.
No matter who stood on stage with Theo, nobody could quite contend with the shine of the night’s leading man. In Vulfpeck, he has some competition in that regard—from jumping Jack Stratton to the features from Dosik and soulful vocalist Antwaun Stanley.
But ostensibly on his own, Katzman’s star power is all the more evident. With this fresh context in his back pocket, he should continue to sparkle and shimmer wherever he turns up, whether dropping in on Lawrence, pinning together Vulfpeck or striking out on his own, bigger and better than ever.
Check out this fan-shot video of “One Of These Nights” below:
[Video: Theo Katzman Appreciation Team TKAT]
Theo Katzman continues on tour throughout the country and across seas until mid-April. Head to his website for more details.