Beck Shines at McMenamin’s Edgefield

, Beck Shines at McMenamin’s EdgefieldIf there’s such a thing as heaven on earth, it could quite possibly be the 74-acre piece of land known as Edgefield. Built in 1911 as the county poor house, it’s now one of the world’s most impressive pour houses, thanks to the ingenuity, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of local brewers McMenamin’s. Briefly set aside the fact that this wonderland features a brewery, winery, distillery, an 18-hole golf course, multiple bars and restaurants, plus the 100-room hotel and spa. Then simply buy a ticket for one of the most eclectic and influential singer-songwriter-rappers of the last 30 years and pick your favorite beer. Yes… heaven.

As one of the breweries that has been on the Portland scene since 1983 and helped start the Oregon Brewers Festival, McMenamin’s hosts an otherworldly line-up of musicians each year to perform in their spacious and pastoral grassy knoll of an amphitheater. This year’s Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn Series features Lyle Lovett, Foster the People, Portugal.The Man, Jack White and my personal favorite, Beck. I’ve yet to let a summer pass without the indulgence of a Hammerhead IPA and a Ruby Ale on the lawn, watching the glowing puffy clouds pass overhead as the stage lights set aglow with equally euphoric tunes.

The last time I’d seen Beck, unbeknownst to anyone, he was suffering through a spinal injury that more than put a dent in his renowned, ebullient stage presence. This time around, he was back to his hyperactive bouncy self, opening the show with classics like “Devils Haircut,” “Loser,” and “The New Pollution.” While it was a marvelous set of known songs at the outset, the meat of the show featured selections from his newest work, Morning Phase, something even he acknowledges as akin to his downbeat masterpiece Sea Change. Unfortunately, many cell phones lit faces, distracted by more ADD things, and while these tunes are far mellower, it’s glaringly obvious many haven’t even checked his newest work out – something I hope his performance rectified.

Wrapping the evening up, he closed the first set by stringing caution tape across the stage front, deeming it “unsafe” as they wrapped up with “Beercan” and “E-Pro.” The encore felt like a psychotherapeutic session. Following Beck’s declaration that the stage was once again safe during a funked out rendition of “Sexx Laws,” he went into a rambling, free-style version of “Debra” including flying Hyundai’s with Willie Nelson in the backseat. Opener Jenny Lewis returned to the stage for a cover of Rod Stewart’s “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” fo, Beck Shines at McMenamin’s Edgefieldllowed by a closing medley bookended by “Where It’s At” filled with band intros, short jams on the Rolling Stone’s “Miss You,” “Voodoo Chile,” and “Billie Jean.”

Throughout the show, which I was thankful to share with friends just met and already known, there was never a dry moment as we took turns standing in line for IPAs, ciders, and their surprisingly complex Golden Ale. Whether we were ducking into their sneaky Little Red Shed at the back of the grounds or enjoying the tented cocktail, wine, and beer offerings, there was never a feeling of being out of earshot of the stage or the magic hour feeling of the proceedings. There was no Modern Guilt, only a sublime evening on the lawn.

 

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