December 9, 2011, Las Vegas Weekly, Noise

1. Beauty Bar’s back patio is packed with a mix of Downtown scenesters, a handful of aging indie-rock fans … and two rodeo cowboys in boots, flannel and ten-gallon hats, who apparently wandered off the Fremont Street Experience’s safe path.

2. Three fantastic songs in before the ex-Pedro the Lion leader even takes a breath to thank the crowd. Luckily, he doesn’t have to say much—this set speaks for itself. It’s surprising that Bazan’s brand of faith-based rock is so well received by the seemingly heathen audience.

3. Bazan draws a name for a free ticket to David Bazan headlining shows for life. Hands-down, best concert giveaway of 2011.

4. Maybe it’s just as well Bazan hasn’t been speaking much. “The last time I was here [in Vegas] I realized I didn’t like it here, and we didn’t mean to come back.” Looks like that lifetime fan will have to travel to redeem his prize.

5. Bazan seems happier with our hometown—and apparently skeptical of the host venue’s calculator abilities, when he Tweets about the experience later in the night. “To the 80 … er … I mean 140 wonderful people who came out to our Vegas show tonite: U WERE AWESOME!! We’ll be back! (but F*CK the Beauty Bar!)” Testify, David.

Web Link: http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/news/2011/dec/09/five-thoughts-david-bazan-beauty-bar/