Donald Fagen at Bearsville Theatre 2013 A Rare Woodstock Appearance at the Soundout Concert
On May twenty sixth, twenty thirteen, Donald Fagen appeared at the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock, New York, as part of the Soundout concert series. The performance drew particular attention because Fagen, best known as co founder, lead vocalist, and keyboardist of Steely Dan, has been selective about his live appearances outside of his established touring commitments.
Bearsville Theater has long held cultural significance within the Woodstock music community. Known for hosting artists connected to the area’s recording history, the venue provides an intimate setting that contrasts sharply with the larger arenas where Fagen frequently performs with Steely Dan. His participation in the Soundout concert positioned the evening as a notable local event, bringing a major figure in American rock and jazz influenced pop into a close range environment.
By twenty thirteen, Donald Fagen had already established a multi decade career that included classic Steely Dan albums such as Aja and Gaucho, along with several solo releases beginning with The Nightfly in nineteen eighty two. His live work is recognized for its precision, tight arrangements, and high musical standards. Even in smaller venues, that disciplined approach remains central to his performances.
Video footage from the Bearsville show documents Fagen at the keyboard delivering vocals with the familiar phrasing and tonal character that have defined his sound since the nineteen seventies. His style blends understated expression with rhythmic control, favoring clarity over theatrical display. The band backing him maintains a polished and measured groove consistent with the sophisticated harmonic language associated with his catalog.
While the specific set list from that evening is not widely documented in official releases, the performance itself reflects Fagen’s continued commitment to musical craftsmanship. The Bearsville appearance demonstrates that his approach does not significantly change based on venue size. The emphasis remains on structure, tight ensemble playing, and faithful execution of complex arrangements.
For audiences in Woodstock, the concert offered a rare opportunity to witness a major American songwriter and performer in a relatively intimate theater environment. For long time listeners, it served as confirmation that Fagen’s voice, keyboard work, and compositional identity have remained consistent well into the twenty first century.
The Bearsville Theater Soundout concert in May twenty thirteen may not rank among the most widely publicized events of Donald Fagen’s career. However, as documented in circulating video, it stands as a valuable record of an artist whose influence continues to resonate, presented in a setting that underscores both his roots and his enduring professionalism.