The reverberating twang of blues, rock and soul poured out of Gary Clark Jr.’s fingers into the wah of his guitar on Saturday night as his eight-piece band filled Krannert Center’s Tryon Festival Theater with music.

Clark Jr. was one of 14 acts whose expertise revolved around the guitar, along with others like Rosanne Cash, Jeff Tweedy and Strings For Peace.

“What I love about the guitar is that it’s an instrument that so many people have connections to, whether they’ve trained formally or just picked it up with a friend or YouTube videos,” said Emily Laugesen, an attendee of the concert and Krannert employee. “It’s just one of those instruments that has this wide appeal.”

This sold-out show closed out the Krannert Center’s biennial guitar festival, “Ellnora,” which dedicates itself to the founder of the venue, Ellnora Krannert. According to Krannert’s website, in 1969, Ellnora Krannert wanted to create a space where everyone was welcome to meet and connect through the arts.

Another attendee, Hunter Lafave, heard of Clark Jr. from one of his backup dancers and has been following him since his music career began in Austin, Texas.

“Getting to see him here in my hometown was really special,” Lafave said. “I was so lost in it, the electricity of the performance draws you in. The more they played, the more you flow with them.”

A standing applause welcomed Clark Jr. as he graced the stage with his presence, even receiving standing ovations between songs. Each song offered a different style of strumming, which, when paired with the haunting vocals of his background singers, shook the seats of the auditorium.

“I really like the versatility of all the different styles he brings in and how he interacts with the other musicians in his band,” Laugesen said.

Each member of the band had a short feature, with keyboardist Jon Deas having the longest of them all. The long interludes of Clark Jr.’s shredding and Deas tickling the ivories had the audience quaking with energy as people got out of their seats, whistling and head nodding to the beat. 

“It’s amazing how many people can get out and celebrate the arts and the music,” Lafave said. “It’s so special.”

The show was succinct — Clark Jr. rarely spoke during the performance, and when he did, the raving crowd drowned it out. Between some songs, however, the audience would occasionally erupt into laughter when Clark Jr. would go up to the microphone and pretend to speak, but no sound would come out.

Clark Jr. dedicated one of his last songs, “Our Love,” to his mother in the audience.

“I am lucky to be around the best musicians in the world,” Clark Jr. told the crowd. “It’s extra special because when we were kids, my sister got a drum kit and I got a guitar, but we went our separate ways. For the last few years, I’ve been able to play with my siblings.”

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