Mountain of Funk, fun with Keller Williams and the Motet

Keller Williams plays before a sellout Crown Room Feb. 7 in Crystal Bay, Nev.
Keller Williams plays before a sellout Crown Room Feb. 7 in Crystal Bay, Nev.

Keller Williams played to a packed Crystal Bay Casino Crown Room Feb. 7 on a very rainy Tahoe evening. In his songs he made references to living in a ski town, to getting fresh tracks and to loving California. He then made numerous comments to being in Nevada. Keller also sang a few Grateful Dead songs that had the crowd, yipping and yahooing. Barefoot and happy, and using his big toe to push his effects’ board, Keller was different and delightful. The crowd on occasion sang along, clapped and all the while Keller thrived on the energy of the crowd, belting out tune after tune.

Williams came onto the scene in the 1990s, and has coined the term independent artist. He has more than 16 recordings and each one of his live shows is different from the next. He is an improviser and you never know what lies in store for you. He belts out tunes in a manner like no other musician I have seen in all of my years of going to see live music. The crowd eats it up, wanting more and more.

IMG_1538 copyShortly after saying his goodnights and after some shuffling around of equipment on the stage, the Motet arrived. A Colorado band, the Motet is a very classy funk band and an improvisational dance band. Though the band has had a different list of musicians over the years, the most recent crew has been touring together for the last several years.

The Motet is a funk, disco, electronic and afrobeat band with lots of soul. The band is known for its dance parties, and the connection between the band and the crowd is deep and heartfelt.

A packed Crown Room and the Motet. Photos by Clare Foster
A packed Crown Room and the Motet. Photos by Clare Foster

The show was sold out and was sweaty and happy. Everyone was dancing both to Keller and the Motet. After the show, Mojo Green took the stage in the Red Room, and, though sadly, I was not at the after party, I was told that the party continued on, dancing way into the wee hours, and a good time was had by all. The last night of the Mountain of Funk three-show run with a big thanks to all the bands and all the folks who worked so hard to bring these shows to the stage, and finally to all of the concert goers who continue to show their support of live music.

ABOUT Tahoe Onstage

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Tahoe Onstage is an online entertainment and sports magazine covering Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Reno, the Carson Valley and June Lake.

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