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Without stretching the metaphor too far, Chuck Timely’s hourglass was closer to running out than he might have thought: While the second of two Los Angeles dates of Role Model’s “Chuck on Tour” jaunt in support of his
third studio album — titled (naturally enough) “Chuck Timely & the Hourglass” — was scheduled to be the second-to-last North American show, it actually was the last, as he canceled the next night’s final stop in Berkeley due to illness.
However, there was no sign of illness at the Greek Theatre on Friday night, as Role Model took the stage in his latest persona, the time-traveler Chuck Timely. (He was the Saint Laurent Cowboy for his 2024 album “Kansas Anymore.”) He has described his new character as someone who’s “been around through all the eras and seems to grab little pieces from each along the way. He’s been around forever.”
The show started on a slightly awkward note, as Role Model made a grand entrance to a pre-recorded “Chuck’s Mantra,” emerging from the darkness for “High Hopes 3000.” But when the track dropped out for a few moments, a confused silence overtook the 6,000-strong audience. And when the track finally resumed, the lyrics were nearly drowned out by the eruption of cheers as Pillsbury’s silhouette was illuminated by golden lights.
With that, the energy kicked in. “I don’t say this every night, and I didn’t say it last night,” he shouted, “but you can tell when a show is going to be fucking lit one song in — and tonight’s going to be a fun night!”
Pillsbury maintained the energy throughout his 90-minute set, alternating between singing and playing acoustic and electric guitars, with the energy only slowing down for lower-key songs like “The Longest Goodbye” and “Good Thing,” the latter of which inspired hundreds of fans to wave their phone flashlights.
The stage set was kept simple, with comical placements cards for each of the bandmembers, including “Bass God,” “Piano Man” and, of course, “Chuck,” while a marker at the back of the stage read, “Stand here for the drama.”
Though he didn’t stand in the designated spot, Pillsbury reminded the audience of the drama surrounding his track “Love I You,” which features his now-ex Dakota Johnson. Rather than use Johnson’s voice during the live performance, Pillsbury invites someone from the audience each night to recite the song’s popular back-and-forth.
But the setlist dipped into Role Model’s pre-Chuck eras, including “Writing’s on the Wall,” “Slipfast,” “Old Recliners” and, of course, the evening’s most-anticipated song, “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out.”
The night also had, as he put it, “some tea”: not only were Role Model’s parents in the house, but he also said that his friend, online personality Jake Shane, had attended Thursday night’s show because he knew singer Reneé Rapp would be at Friday’s.
“He wanted all the fucking attention on him, so he decided to come last night because he knew Reneé would take all the attention from him,” Pillsbury told the crowd. “And that’s fucking true!”
As the audience erupted in cheers and scanned the crowd for Rapp, Pillsbury said, “Alright stop looking at her, look at me,” he laughed. “I got fucking dressed up for you.”
