Grace Potter and the Nocturnals rolled into Dallas on what seems to be the never-ending tour.  They're on a 200+ show-a-year pace, and have been for the past year or so.  Having recently appeared on Leno, Letterman and most of the other late-night shows, their popularity has skyrocketed.  Tonight's show was sold-out, which is becoming a common occurrence.  Since they can't increase the number of shows they're playing, it would be my guess that they'll soon move to larger venues to satisfy their growing fanbase.

After an hour long performance by Dallas rockers, Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights, Grace took the stage, opening up with Hot Summer Nights, from their new, self-titled album.  Grace had the "Jagger strut" and the "Tina Turner shake" down pat.  She's in great physical shape, belting out tune after tune, while covering the stage from one end to the other.

Next up was Joey, from the album, Nothing but the Water.  She took a breather behind the piano, playing an extended, jammed-out version.  The last time Grace and the Nocs played Dallas, the setlist was primarily from their new album.  Tonight was a great mix of old and new.  They played Apologies, Mastermind, and Nothing but the Water, parts 1 & 2 from her first two albums.  They also performed the song Tequila and You, a Kenny Chesney song that features Grace in a duet with Kenny.  Scott Tournet played the role of Kenny Chesney, complete with cowboy hat.  New album tunes included Oasis, Things I Never Needed, and One Short Night.

The set finished up with a band member introduction and showcase during Nothing but the Water, with each band member performing a solo.  Then came the big, hit song Paris, with Grace on her trademark white Gibson Flying V guitar.  The encore was a cover of Heart's, Crazy on You.  Grace performed this song with Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart on the VH1 Salute to the Troops.

The show was very high energy and very loud.  Unfortunately, it seemed a little abbreviated, only about 90 minutes.  Setlists from recent shows had been running between an hour and 45 minutes to two hours.  It may have been because Grace was suffering from a cold.  She confessed to being "hopped up on Dayquil" not as an excuse, but as a reason for being so energetic.  Even at 90 minutes, the show was great.  After Dallas, GPN will be at Austin's Zona Rose, then New Orleans.