Approximately a half-hour into his March 20 show at Anthem in downtown Champaign, John Hoeffleur asked the crowd of around 20 people, “You guys ever been to prom?”
In Anthem’s darkened space reserved for music and dancing, he then played the indeed prom-worthy song “Barer,” one of several tracks from the artist’s new project, Green Boots, which was atmospheric, introspective, and, ultimately, emotional.
On “Barer,” Hoeffleur sang the following lines in his gravelly voice: “I bare myself/I bare my soul/I bare it all.” It was one of several songs in which he shared his vulnerable side through lyrics about relationships and self-reflection.
At other points during the evening, Hoeffleur’s vast array of recorded instrumentation that he played guitar and sang over made some of the showgoers, well, just move. Green Boots tracks such as “Cheap Shot,” “Sullivan Nod (Let Go or Be Dragged),” and “Coconuts” are impossible not to groove to, especially when there are four differently sized disco balls and small lights blinking yellow, red, white, green, and purple from the ceiling.
Chitchat from the musician was minimal, giving the songs an album-like flow that’s missing when they’re played one by one on Bandcamp. The fun closing song, “Soap,” on which Hoeffleur playfully slapped his cheeks at one point to create a surprisingly robust popping effect, ended the show on a joyous, crowd-pleasing note.
Following the performance, an excited Hoeffleur mingled with some of the attendees, saying the show went well and commenting on the solid sound within the room.
“I hope this isn’t the last [Green Boots] gig. It might be, though,” Hoeffleur joked, adding that his performance would “kill” if he could play in front of “drunk people late at night.”
Hoeffleur’s goal as a musician, he told those around him, is to create earworm lyrics and melodies that remain with listeners long after they hear the songs. Those who saw Hoeffleur play on this early-spring night would likely say that objective was attained. The former leader of the popular band The Beauty Shop, Hoeffleur is proud of the fact that he can write a reggae-laced tune followed by a gritty garage-band track. He’s pop and rock and lots of things in between.
The performance offered a spark on what would have otherwise been a subdued evening at an elegant downtown bar. Here’s hoping Hoeffleur did not play his final show as a Green Boot.