Julian Lage and Leo Kottke co-headlined a sold-out concert at The State Room Monday night (8/5/2025), meshing similar acoustic worlds together, yet remaining miles apart.
It was the kind of concert where showing up on time meant you were already late, the kind where youāre grateful for a spot to stand in the very back. When Lage took the stage, people may have held their breath collectively. It got so quiet, they may have sometimes thought they were swallowing too loud. While he was short on words, opting only to share a few song titles on occasion, he let his hands do the talking. Each song was a journey with no clear destination, an exploration into what was possible, and the audience wanted to see where it led. It felt like we were paying to meditate collectively, eyes wide open. Lage gave us a chance to witness what genius looks like, and it allowed for the most immediate standing ovation Iāve seen in several months.
When Kottke traded places with Lage for the last half of the performance, he immediately said it was time to close shop for the night. What more could he have to offer? He had the timing and jokes and stories that Lage simply didnāt. So in addition to his well-honed abilities as a guitarist (trading between two throughout the night), he offered up warmth and laughter. He even sang on occasion, a change of pace when it felt like it was needed. I discovered Kottke years ago in the Salt Lake City Public Library, where they may still have most albums heās ever recorded. There are not a few. The filled seats were testament to his long and lasting legacy, staying power he almost seemed to casually shrug off.
Both men showed us where their talents have led them. In return, we gave them our time, rapt attention, and grateful ears.
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