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The Arts Intel Report

A Cultural Compass
For the World Traveler
A Cultural Compass
For the World Traveler

Beck on Tour

Beck performing in San Diego, August 2023.

August 20, 2023

Summer songs are usually danceable bangers—think Outkast’s “Hey Ya!,” from the aughts—but just in time for the Canadian wildfire-shut-in was Beck’s mournful, passionate, and desperate “Thinking About You.” It is a gem about love lost, and it sounds like it’s always been here, from an artist that sounds like right now, or right anon. Beck has remained in the spotlight since his 1994 debut: last year, he was nominated for a Grammy for his cover of Neil Young’s “Old Man.” He’s 53—a long way to go till old-man status, even though he is almost 30 years older than Young was when he wrote it. He’s in a Beck-size bardo, and those of us who have been following the Beck Show for these unforgiving decades still have a new chapter ahead. If your pulmonary health permits, Beck is on the road with Phoenix for 11 more performances. Venture out. The loser of “Loser” puts on a hell of a show. —David Yaffe

Photo: Daniel Knighton/Getty