G. Love & Special Sauce brought with them a unique blend of dirty blues and hip-hop to a State Theatre audience craving it, by delivering a performance that made the packed house dance. Unquestioned leader of the group, guitarist Garrett Dutton, stole the show by winning the fans with an ideal balance of eloquent melody, dirty blues, and hip-hop. Seated in a wooden chair, only a few feet from the audience, it felt like Dutton’s artistry was connecting to each of us–through his guitar.

Props to opener The Apache Relay, who displayed exceptional guitar work from Michael Ford, Jr. Apache got people warmed up, out of their seats, but frankly weren’t on the same level as G.Love.

Going to see G.Love last night, I expected to hear the Philly Band’s R&B/Hip-hop style from earlier albums like “G. Love And Special Sauce” that put them on the map. But that was 1994, and while the hip-hop influence remains strong, I was thrilled so see an even heavier blues influence. On display was not only the multi-talented, Garrett Dutton, who can get people dancing with the blues and turn a few heads with rap lyrics, but a tight, rhythmically sound supporting cast.

If you attended the performance, or just dig G.Love, what did you take away from it?

Below is a gallery of images from last night’s performance.