Hanni El Khatib at Revival Sessions (2/18/2011) © 2011 Michael Kang

Hanni El Khatib and Nick Waterhouse at the Private Speakeasy in Townhouse Basement

February 18, 2011

Despite the long line and standing in bursts of torrential rain the first night of the Revival Sessions hosted by KCRW  DJ Jeremy Sole and L.A. Record at the old Del Monte Speakeasy (down the stairs from the Townhouse pub) was by all accounts a huge success. Opening was San Francisco’s Nick Waterhouse and the Tarots whose soulful early R&B sounds felt right at home in the dark and crowded confines of the Speakeasy. They are an amazing act and certainly worth checking out the next time they swing by town. Hanni El Khatib, fresh off a cover story on L.A. Record and big shows on the east side. He really turned up the heat and had the place literally jumping. Catch him at SXSW if you’re there.

Photos by Michael Kang