Live Report: John Craigie takes over The Sound House with his troubadour tunes

John Craigie has had a less than traditional upbringing in the music world - emerging as the frontman of a psychedelic jam band at University of California Santa Cruz, then becoming a high school mathematics teacher, before finally leaving everything behind to reignite his music career and end up in Portland, Oregon. Somehow, all these parts come together in harmony to form the dry wit, Americana aesthetic and folk instrumentation that embody the modern-day troubadour.

Before we can get a taste of his prowess, alt-rock singer Jobi Riccio walks out. The self-described "little dog, big bark" begins immediately with her song 'The Ridge', carrying the audience into the start of the show with gentle groove and cathartic vocals.

"Dia duit!" - Riccio addresses the crowd excitedly after the track ends.

"I bought this book today and it was the only one in the store. It's 'Teach My Dog Irish'," she continues, reading a few lines like "suí" and "maith thú" as the audience gently corrects her pronunciation.

Two more tracks follow with 'Whiplash' and 'High Beam', showcasing the melancholic side to her music. "This song's kind of an instructional on why you shouldn't let your kids listen to Damien Rice too young," Riccio says of the emotional second song.

Jobi Riccio supporting John Craigie at The Sound House on October 9th, 2026. Copyright Davide Nolfo/hotpress.com

Her next tracks takes on a more critical worldview, with a feeling akin to something Woody Guthrie would write - wise, catchy and distinctly folk.

A 30-minute intermission ensues, giving the crowd just enough time to build up all their anticipation.

Craigie knows the folk landscape like the back of his hand. He holds over a decade of experience honing his conversational, sincere songs which feature guitar and harmonica skills like no other, and just the right amount of humor. Having 10 studio albums in his catalogue and prior support slots with the likes of Jack Johnson and Gregory Alan Isakov, the artist is undeniably well-versed in the field - and it shows.

This gig comes as part of Craigie's tour supporting his latest release, I Swam Here. The record blends the funkiness of New Orleans - where he recorded most of the songs - with the characteristic stillness of the Pacific Northwest, and a healthy dose of millennial optimism thrown into the mix. His quiet confidence takes shape as he continues to push the boundaries of his abilities and discover where he's headed.

The Sound House's intimate upstairs room fills as the audience pushes closer to the front. Craigie takes the stage alongside the gentle buzz of a harmonica, the stage's green-blue lights and fog making him look as if he's emerging from a dream. Immediately, the strumming of his guitar forms a rhythmic backing to 'Dissect the Bird', which has the crowd cheering, then laughing, then singing along - all within the first five minutes of his set.

Before he even introduces himself, he tells an interesting anecdote about his home state.

"Summer is a beautiful time in Oregon where I come from, but summer makes people way too happy for me. Half of them have hula hoops and it stresses me out," he goes on, in detail, about the supposed disruption of hula-hoopers at his shows. "That's why I like September and October tours ... Not to discourage any hula hoopers." The crowd laughs. "My name is John Craigie." Before the audience can fully understand that introduction, he launches into another track.

John Craigie at The Sound House on October 9th, 2026. Copyright Davide Nolfo/hotpress.com

The low-key balladeer relaxes onto the stage as his single 'Helena' gets the crowd enraptured. His smooth vocals deliver the intricate lyrics with a distinct funk flair only Craigie himself could create.

His song 'Fire Season' makes for the first new track, which is decidedly different than his older stuff, but just as masterful. Gentle strumming guitar and his conversational tone form the basis of all the tracks, but each of them take on a slightly different feel - from earthy soul to melancholic folk tunes.

After every song, he delivers what could be considered a mini stand-up set, cracking jokes and telling stories that get the audience roaring. Although, he admits, they almost never have to do with what the songs are actually about - with tales of his time being denied from the Vatican for wearing shorts as a child, when he went on a first date with a woman who brought a gun and the history of Michael Collins (the American astronaut, not the Irish revolutionary).

"I don't like to talk about what songs are about," he says. "The album's called I Swam Here and I don't want to talk about what that means, but I can tell you where the phrase comes from.

"Early in my career I'd just drive around the United States and I'd just play at coffee shops for whoever was there in these small towns," he explains. One of these sets, he notes, was in Aberdeen, North Dakota, amidst a flood. He played to the trapped owner and two unwilling coffee shop patrons as rain poured.

"Half way through my set, a guy busted through the doors and was like 'I swam here!' That was the most rock and roll thing that's happened in my life." The audience erupts in laughter.

He flows seamlessly through a brilliant setlist with songs like 'Dry Land' and 'Judas'. The latter sees a funky little guitar pluck to begin, lively melodies and lyrics that once again have the crowd smiling with lines like 'My acupuncturist has got a tramp stamp / Put a needle in me, put a needle in me'.

In true folk fashion, his last solo song, 'Laurie Rolled Me A J', is a pointed critique of the US government and its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, while keeping his distinctive dry humour. Once again, the audience is ignited for the infinitely catchy song which sees rumbling acoustics and a more resonant sound than the others.

Beginning to close up his whip-like performance, he calls Riccio back onstage. Singing into one mic - "Beatles-style" as Craigie puts it - they burst into his most American song yet: 'I Am California'.

Riccio's voice adds a lighter layer to the bittersweet track, and Craigie buzzes that wistful harmonica once again. The slow, soothing song embodies what Americana folk is all about, with bright metaphor and a nostalgic feel.

Although he could have ended there, Craigie treats the crowd to a final singalong track that takes everyone to another level of elation. 'Nomads' begins and everyone starts to sway and shout, their cheeks definitely sore from all the laughs.

The song winds down and a final, brilliant guitar strum marks a triumphant end to the night.