Original image by There Stands the Glass.
I’m holding a ticket for tonight’s double-bill of Jeff Parker and SML at Revolution Hall. I’ve seen Parker with Tortoise and in other contexts, but I’ve never seen the guitarist perform as a leader. I’m especially giddy about catching the opening act SML for the first time.
The tandem compelled me to reminisce about five enticing double bills I’ve experienced. I’ve limited the following list to well-known artists. Bills with more than two acts and festivals were also disqualified.
B.B. King and Bobby “Blue” Bland- Uptown Theater (1979)
Pretenders and Steel Pulse- Uptown Theater (1981)
The Hold Steady and Art Brut- The Granada (2007)
Bonnie “Prince” Billy and Michael Hurley at Aladdin Theater (2023)
Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire at the T-Mobile Center (2024)
The idea for this post came to me two hours ago while on a walk in Portland. I’m almost certainly failing to recall many equally rewarding concerts. I haven’t bothered to fact-check either, so the details may be incorrect. Here’s hoping Parker and SML will come through with a performance that will merit placement on a future list of exceptional double bills.