A Week of Photos 12/18

photo by Jim Bennett

The big event of the week, of course, was the 7th Annual Yule Benefit last Saturday. The Thermals, The Cave Singers, The Builders & The Butchers, and Grand Hallway all performed brilliantly during this completely sold-out event! Photographer Jim Bennett captured these great shots...

photo by Alex Crick

... while photographer Alex Crick nabbed these.

photo by Jim Bennett

How brilliant was Dick Dale on Friday, though? Holy $#@&!!! The 72-year old was smokin’! And, boy, could he talk, often quite amazingly about his past and his creative process. Look for more on this (video, podcast, etc. in the weeks to come). [more]

photo by Brittney Bush Bollay

And speaking of smokin’, Bay Area rock vet Chuck Prophet gives it his all every time he’s in-studio at KEXP, and this time was no exception as he and the band performed songs from his new album, ¡Let Freedom Ring!. [more]

photo by E.C. Landry

Songwriter Gregory Alan Isakov‘s acoustic set was a more subdued affair, though no less interesting or entertaining. People make much of the fact that he was born in South African but raised in Philly, yet his emotive folk rock seems like it would be at home anywhere. [more]

photo by Scott Holpainen

Apparently it takes a lot of gear and crew to make Danish band Mew soar to such great heights, but we weren’t complaining! On the night of this incredible set, they packed Neumos to capacity. [more]

photo by Jim Bennett

For his last appearance on KEXP as a local artist, Shane Tutmarc performed solo on Swingin’ Doors. Though we’ll miss the Seattle native when he moves to Nashville next month, we know he’ll be back to play the Northwest soon enough. Good luck, Shane! [more]

photo by Scott Holpainen

Barbados’ singer David Kirton brought his modern touch to roots reggae during a special session for Positive Vibrations. [more]

photo by Jim Beckmann

Finally, our only in-studio guest this week, Karl Blau, rocked the Anacortes Mullet and toy guitar like no other! [more]