Pete Yorn keeps solo, acoustic ‘You & Me’ show simple, intimate at Knitting Factory

As promised in an interview in Seven on Friday, New Jersey native singer-songwriter Pete Yorn kept his solo, acoustic “You & Me” tour stop simple and intimate at Knitting Factory on Friday evening.

The stage setup was only Yorn, his guitar, a microphone stand, a stool with a beverage in a small plastic cup and a few pieces of other equipment, and Yorn donned light black jeans, a black T-shirt, a zip-up burgundy jacket and his signature shaggy ’do.

“I just play this guitar and sing this song. In this digital age, it feels real and tangible, and it’s gratifying,” Yorn said in the Seven interview, which included him talking about his new album, “Caretakers.” Simple and intimate, indeed – as well as refreshingly authentic.

Yorn was previously in Spokane at the Bartlett, a sadly closing-soon venue that would’ve been better suited for Yorn’s “You & Me” show. Yorn early in the evening quipped about how he played for at least as many fans the last time he was in the Lilac City, but, “There’s more elbow room this time.”

Fans understandably stayed in seats at tables on the first floor toward the back of Knitting Factory, which also is near the bar, and on the second-floor mezzanine, as this was an acoustic show, but the setup was a shame for Yorn, who was separated by the audience by a largely empty floor at the foot of the stage.

Moving tables and chairs onto the floor is something the Knitting Factory should consider for future acoustic or similar shows. It was a disservice to Yorn and his fans, but it didn’t deter Yorn from showcasing his talent or fans, some of whom did walk onto the floor to be mere feet away from Yorn, from enjoying “You & Me.”

The super-chill, almost earnest Yorn hosted a handful of fans pre-concert with the help of his tour manager, Phil Tagan, and the VIPs experienced a sound check of two songs and photos and one-on-one time with Yorn.

The group, which included couples, a family of four with two very young Yorn fans and Scoop owner Jennifer Davis, also received autographed memorabilia and early entry into Knitting Factory. The family of four also received a backstage tour.

Yorn fan Tyler D. Zyph – a broker with John L. Scott in Liberty Lake, married father of two and new friend (Zyph was part of the preshow VIP meet-and-greet) – attended Yorn’s concert with his brother and two friends and provided the setlist post-performance:

“Vampyre,” “Halifax,” “Life on a Chain,” “Calm Down,” “Lost Weekend,” “Just Another,” “ECT,” “Precious Stone,” “Turn of the Century,” “I Wanna Be the One,” “Pass Me By,” “Your Own Worst Enemy” by Bruce Springsteen, “Ice Age,” “Knew Enough to Know Nothing at All,”

“Closet,” “Try” and “Strange Condition.”

Encore: “On Your Side,” “Paradise Cove,” “Crystal Village” and “For Nancy.”