Tony Lucca and Tyrone Wells Play Mississippi Studios

By Staff • April 7, 2010

Tony Lucca and Tyrone Wells, Portland, OR
by Brianne Turner, photography by Justin Patterson

Seemingly always on tour, Tony Lucca and Tyrone Wells took their tireless live show to the stage of Mississippi Studios last week to play for the first sold-out crowd I’ve ever seen at the venue.

Tony Lucca took the stage first to play a high-powered acoustic set, emblematic of the 20-plus years he’s spent playing in front of crowds. Lucca’s live show is representative of an experienced musician who has not lost sight of the artistry in what he does and it shows in his enthusiasm (or remarkable ability to fake that enthusiasm) when he is onstage.

During “Close Enough,” the singer/songwriter launched into the chorus of Oasis’ “Wonderwall,” to the delight of the already-enthusiastic audience and later played “Take Me Home,” or what has come to be known as “The Bus Driver Song” amongst fans.

Though his live show is superlative, Tony Lucca is also a great storyteller, making him a pretty fantastic performer, overall.

I cannot endorse him enough.

Not to be outdone was Tyrone Wells, who also put on a spectacular show and who is also an incredible storyteller. Oh, and he yodels!

“I’m the only white guy named Tyrone that you’re ever gonna hear yodel in your life.”

The audience was all beered up for Wells’ set and it was evident in the way they sang along and danced, sort of! (Portland, you never dance!) He brought Tony Lucca out to play two songs, then somehow got an entire room of people to sing along to songs by Train, Maroon 5 and Leona Lewis toward the end of the night in a medley consisting of songs by all three artists.

Tyrone Wells ended the night on a more solemn note, playing “When All Is Said and Done” completely unplugged to a nearly silent audience.

Basically, only seeing it live will do it justice, so I will strongly encourage you to see both artists as soon as you can. In the meantime, pictures: