It’s always nice when you get to see someone from the area make it big and return for a hometown show. Kevin Morby, who cut his teeth on the regional scene, made a two-night run of his homecoming starting with a show at The Bottleneck in Lawrence before heading to KC on Friday (it’s not every day you get to see someone who started at open mic nights return to the same venue years later to headline a sold out show there).

He started out strong with one of his more recent release, “This Is A Photograph,” before eventually diving into some of his older songs (including a very rock-and-roll rendition of “City Music”). Morby’s live shows have only grown more energetic over the years, with his final numbers absolutely bringing the house down (the floor was shaky just from the head bobbing, if you can believe it) and we suspect he’ll only become more lively onstage from here on out. Highlights for the crowd included a special Waxahatchee appearance (as is usual at many of his shows) and his very serious sax player.

He was joined on this stop by Nashville’s Erin Rae, who was just here with Angel Olsen back in January. Though she played a very short solo set, she eventually returned to join Morby onstage and provide additional vocals. Rae has the type of sound that is quite loved here in Lawrence, and we wouldn’t be surprised if she returned for a headlining set of her own (with The Roseline opening) someday.