L ukas Nelson and The Promise of The Real brought their fall North American 2023 tour to the Capitol Theatre on November 22, 2023. The band is currently touring in support of Sticks and Stones, their latest release. This is their second appearance at the Capitol.

Nelson guided the POTR on a musical journey through peaks and valleys, exploring a range from soulful ballads to roots rock. Notably, The Promise of The Real, with Lukas Nelson, served as the backing band for Neil Young from 2015 to 2019. This baptism by fire equipped them with the experience needed to ascend to the status of a headlining band.

The members of POTR—Anthony LoGerfo (drums, percussion), Corey McCormick (bass guitar, vocals), Logan Metz (keyboards, lap steel, guitar, harmonica, vocals), and Tato Melgar (percussion)—collaborated with Nelson to create an atmosphere reminiscent of a local bar with friends, rather than the formality of a theater.

As Thanksgiving Eve unfolded, a sense of family permeated the night’s theme. Lukas Nelson paid tribute to his mother by dedicating ‘Icarus’ from the band’s newest recording to her. In the middle of the show, the members of POTR stepped off the stage. Nelson then took center stage, donning an acoustic guitar, and delivered a heartfelt rendition of Willie Nelson‘s ‘Angels Fly Too Close to the Ground.’ The performance left us questioning whether Lukas was honoring his father or undergoing a transformative moment right before our eyes.

Originating from Georgia and currently residing in Nashville, Ben Chapman kicked off the night. As a self-described ‘broke ass songwriter,’ he set the evening’s vibe. Chapman’s honky-tonk flair had the audience tapping their feet throughout his set. Adding a personal touch, he covered the Grateful Dead’s ‘Friend of the Devil,’ imprinting it with his unique style.

The tour continues through mid – December with a final show at the Maui Cultural Arts Center in Hawaii.