Photos & Review by Preston Neal – Last weekend, Dylan Gossett brought his Westward tour to The Fillmore Philadelphia. His performance spoke volumes to his recent rise in Americana. The Fillmore provided a fitting atmosphere for the evening, intimate enough to feel personal and big enough to carry his storytelling.
When Dylan Gossett took the stage, Philly gave him a roaring welcome. He kicked off with material from his debut album Westward before moving into fan favorites. The night’s emotional centerpiece was his performance of “Coal”. Having never seen Dylan in concert before, this was the song I was waiting for – it didn’t disappoint. As soon as the opening notes hit, the audience took over and sang word for word.
Dylan provided some heart-felt dialogue behind some of his songs on the night including “Smell of Rain” – a song he wrote about the memory of his anniversary with his wife. Later on, he shared the story of “Back 40” and dedicated it to his past coworkers and friends, a reflection on where he came from and those that helped build him as an artist.
For those that have never seen Dylan live, I’d tell you that his sincerity and delivery are what set him apart. His voice has grit and a contrasting warmth that pulls you in. It felt so easy to feel and ‘live in’ every lyric.
With Westward marking his official debut, Dylan is on an exciting rise. He will continue the Westward tour after a short festival hiatus out in Texas.
