Walker Art Center Presents HUG, Featuring Devendra Banhart, Gyan Riley, and Noah Georgeson
Three longtime friends bring their debut album to life in an intimate evening of ambient folk, intricate guitar, evocative field recordings, and Harry Smith films.
he Walker Art Center presents HUG, the collaborative project from indie-folk innovator Devendra Banhart, acclaimed guitarist and composer Gyan Riley, and Grammy-winning producer musician Noah Georgeson, on Wednesday, October 14, at 7:30 pm in the McGuire Theater.
Pitchfork wrote “Devendra Banhart, Gyan Riley, and Noah Georgeson spent much of their lives in Californian hippie towns, where it wasn’t uncommon for your family to have a guru or cradle crystals. Another thing they have in common is they’re all great friends. On their self-titled debut album as Hug, they come together as a guitar trio, taking turns leading against a pastoral landscape teeming with water gurgles, frog croaks, and ambient chords. Some songs, like “Petrichor” drift gently away, while tracks like “Bathypelagic” allow you to intensely focus on the group’s intricate riffs. It’s an excellent display of both musicianship and friendship.”
The longtime friends with wide-ranging musical histories come together for an intimate live realization of their self-titled debut album paired with the Harry Smith films Early Abstractions and Heaven and Earth Magic. HUG was released September 11 on David Byrne–founded label Luaka Bop.
HUG. Photo: Christian Stavros. Courtesy of the artist.
HUG featuring Devendra Banhart, Gyan Riley, and Noah Georgeson
Wednesday, October 14, 7:30 pm
McGuire Theater
TICKETS
Ordering tickets is easy: visit walkerart.org/tickets or call 612-375-7600. Box office is open Wednesday–Sunday and one hour before performances.
ACCESSIBILITY
For more information about accessibility, visit our accessibility page. For questions on accessibility or to request additional accommodations, call 612-375-7564 or email access@walkerart.org.
About HUG
Devendra Banhart, born Devendra Obi Banhart on May 30, 1981, in Houston, Texas, is an American singer-songwriter and visual artist known for his eclectic style and unique blend of folk music. He gained prominence in the early 2000s, particularly for his distinct sound that draws from a variety of influences, including folk, rock, and world music. Banhart’s artistic vision extends beyond music, as he is also recognized for his work in visual arts. In 2002, Banhart released his self-titled debut album, which showcased his distinctive voice and lyrical prowess. His breakthrough came with the release of “Cripple Crow” in 2005, an album that solidified his place in the indie music scene. Following this success, Banhart continued to release critically acclaimed albums, including “Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon” in 2007 and “What Will We Be” in 2009, the latter of which is often cited as one of his most notable works. These albums not only highlighted his musical talent but also his ability to weave narratives that resonate with listeners on a personal level.
Throughout his career, Banhart has collaborated with various artists, further enriching his musical repertoire. His collaborations include working with musicians like Beck and Norah Jones, which have contributed to his reputation as a versatile and innovative artist. In addition to his musical endeavors, Banhart has maintained a strong interest in visual arts, often incorporating his artistic sensibilities into his music and performances. As of now, Banhart continues to create and perform, remaining a significant figure in the contemporary folk music landscape. His ability to transcend genres and his commitment to artistic integrity have earned him a dedicated fanbase and respect within the music community. With a career that spans over two decades, Devendra Banhart remains an influential and captivating artist, continually exploring new avenues for expression in both music and visual art.
Gyan Riley won his first guitar in a raffle when he was 12 years old, and it soon became difficult for his parents to wrestle it from his hands. He first immersed himself in classical guitar, gaining a scholarship to the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. In his twenties he turned to composition, and has since written music for the Kronos Quartet, New Music USA, the Carnegie Hall Corporation, the American Composers Forum, the New York Guitar Festival and documentary film makers Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. He has performed with Zakir Hussain, Lou Reed, John Zorn, Bill Frisell, the Kronos Quartet, Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth), Devendra Banhart, Julian Lage, Nico Muhly, Glenn Kotche (Wilco), Grammy Award-winning singer Arooj Aftab, and his father, the renowned composer Terry Riley. Gyan performed with Paul Simon and Sabrina Carpenter for the 50th Anniversary of Saturday Night Live, and is a core member of Paul Simon’s band for the 2025 US Tour: A Quiet Celebration. Gyan has eight of his own CD titles and dozens of collaborative recordings. Winter Sun, his first album as a vocalist, was released on Feb. 7, 2025.
Noah Georgeson has a knack for hearing what a song needs. It is not a style that defines the California producer and composer’s approach to music as much as a sensibility. He likens it to the Japanese phrase wabi-sabi, meaning “beauty that is imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete.” Collaborators look to him “to mess up the sound of a record,” he says, and surface those weird moments, textures, and signatures that often surprise and stick around in your mind, becoming singular and timeless. An in-demand producer, mixer, and musician, Georgeson’s path begins as part of the 2000s indie-folk movement, marked by breakthrough records with Joanna Newsom, his former bandmate, Vetiver, Mason Jennings, Little Joy, and Devendra Banhart, a creative partnership that flourishes to this day. His work has seen recognition from the Grammys, Latin Grammys, and JUNO Awards, plus an Emmy nomination for the theme music to the Netflix series Narcos.
About the Walker Art Center
The Walker Art Center is a renowned multidisciplinary arts institution that presents, collects, and supports the creation of groundbreaking work across the visual and performing arts, moving image, and design. Guided by the belief that art has the power to bring joy and solace and the ability to unite people through dialogue and shared experiences, the Walker engages communities through a dynamic array of exhibitions, performances, events, and initiatives. Its multiacre campus includes 65,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space, the state-of-the-art McGuire Theater and Walker Cinema, and ample green space that connects with the adjoining Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. The Garden, a partnership with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, is one of the first urban sculpture parks of its kind in the United States and home to the beloved Twin Cities landmark Spoonbridge and Cherry by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. Recognized for its ambitious program and growing collection of more than 16,000 works, the Walker embraces emerging art forms and amplifies the work of artists from the Twin Cities and from across the country and the globe. Its broad spectrum of offerings makes it a lively and welcoming hub for artistic expression, creative innovation, and community connection.