New York – I’ve spent the past few weeks completely indulging myself in all things Grouplove, and after interviewing Ryan and Hannah and reviewing the new album “Spreading Rumours”, I spent the last two nights at back-to-back shows of theirs. Now, I can really say I know what all the hoopla is about. Conclusion: it’s all true. The live shows, both the “rocked out” club version and the “intimate acoustic setting” show weren’t really that different from one another. They were both basically sold out lovefests full of energy and admiration.

The first night in NYC at Bowery Ballroom was a showcase of their vibrant dynamics and raucous energy, like a party with a pop band putting on a rock show. The band opened with the same intro of the new album, “I’m With You,” after all the members came onstage in darkness, and singer/guitarist Christian Zucconi began the opening riff on a synth. Much like the record, it felt like an appropriate intro to ease in to the eclectic craziness that would later ensue, and also succinctly sum up where the band is mentally at the moment. They’re into each other pretty heavily, but also into connecting with the fans. After Hannah recalled the details of when she first laid eyes on Christian in our interview, I saw for myself the way she looked at him onstage, with eyes full of adoration and respect. She also made plenty of eye contact with many of the kids in front of her, singing to them, beaming, and making fun faces. When Christian was able to put the guitar down, the two of them would dance it out together. Bassist Sean Gadd also had plenty of fun dance moves himself while pumping out those low end lines, and getting right in the faces of the front row crowd.

Besides the high energy and crowd connections, another cool thing about the show was that it felt like all the members were on equal footing. Each one of them had a moment that was theirs, like when guitarist Andrew Wessen sang on “Spun.” Listening to the record, I had no idea that was him, but witnessing that song live made me realize that he has a pretty incredible voice. On another note, Hannah looked incredible in a skintight leopard bodysuit, much like the skeleton one she wears in the “Ways to Go” video. Werk it girl.

Grouplove played through a great setlist, fitting in about half of their debut album with over half of their just released Spreading Rumours, as well as a collaboration with by Andy Hull from Manchester Orchestra, who made a guest appearance on stage to play the tune with them. The most popular by far was previous single “Tongue Tied,” which induced a uniform jumping in the crowd – I don’t know if I’ve ever seen so many excited kids like that. It was a 16+ crowd, which accounts for much of the rabid-like fandom displayed, and it was clear that Grouplove had really made their night through the whole show, but especially that song. The feeling also seemed to be mutual – the band was having just as much fun onstage as anybody. Adding to the euphoric musical effects was the perfectly queued lighting. Their lighting guy deserves big props for heightening the experience the way he did, especially on tunes like “Hippy Hill.” The strobe light breakdown on that one was intense and awesome.

All in all, they really packed the action in, and also left plenty of meat for the encore when they came back with ‘Itchin’ On A Photograph,” newest breakout single “Ways to Go,” and closer “Colours,” for “old times sake” as Christian said to Sean at the end. For all times sake, Grouplove has already packed in more experiences in their personal and professional lives in a few years than some people have their whole lives, and they have all the artistic material to memorialize those memories in their music and live show. The openness and honesty they show on stage and in the songs is what really connects to people.

The second night at the McKittrick Hotel, best known for its mysterious aura and Sleep No More events, began with an entirely different vibe. This is one of those places where it feels like everyone is a spy, and there are secrets in every corner. After going up in an elevator much like the Tower of Terror at MGM, the place opened up into a lively speakeasy-like venue, with private curtained booths in the back and small tables and booths in the front facing the stage. Instead of synthesizers, there was an old piano, which Christian took a seat at, his face and the piano keys lit by a single lamp in the dark, to begin the intro to “I’m With You” again.

It was the same but softer, and instead of crazy light effects and the band suddenly bursting with all the energy of rainbows and sunbeams, they discreetly trickled out onto the stage and took their places. After this initial intro, however, they actually didn’t hold back too much. Everyone had dressed up more formally, but as the show unfolded they couldn’t help but emanate the energy they felt. Here, intimate acoustic meant the aforementioned piano and acoustic guitars, but Ryan was still seated behind his full kit, and Sean still jumped around with his electric bass. People in the audience were seated, but they were dancing in their seats.

Grouplove played many of the same songs, but not all the same, and mixed it all in a completely different order. Instead of just a quick rap, this time Sean sang lead entirely on “Chloe,” while Christian took over on bass. There was more instrument swapping as a whole, with Andrew jumping on piano, and then drums while Ryan played piano, and back again. This set contained more of the older tunes, which lent themselves better to the setting, such as “Don’t Say Oh Well,” which Christian introduced as being the first song they had played together in Greece, and featured Andrew on ukelele.

“Tongue Tied” still got the biggest response from the audience, and prompted Andrew to remark that he had never seen chair dancing that way. Some of the lighting effects were also still retained, such as the strobe part for “Hippy Hill.” What I found amazing about this “stripped down” set was how much better their vocal harmonies stood out. This was something I hadn’t noticed the previous night, from being overwhelmed by the intensity and volume of everything going on, but when much of the production was stripped away was when their raw talent rose to the surface. In this way, “Close Your Eyes and Count To Ten” suddenly had so much texture, and I could just picture them having a sing-a-long with that around a fire pit on a beach. Hannah’s voice also shone more, as she couldn’t be held back from belting out words with the same amount of emotion as before, and belting out her delicately raspy screams.

They ended on a crowd’s choice – as we ran out of time we were given the option to choose from “Lovely Cup” or “Colours,” and the latter won out from the cheer test. After this finale, the band got a standing ovation. At the ballroom, of course everyone was cheering like crazy, already standing and shouting for 100 more songs, but this second night felt more poignant when all the people who were seated stood up and respectfully applauded. Right then Grouplove had all the beautiful in their world, none of the cruel, because that’s how they made others feel.

 

The opening act for Grouplove’s entire “Seesaw” tour, as it’s being billed, is The Rubens, who hail from Australia.  The quartet is a blues-driven rock outfit formed by the three Margin brothers: Sam on guitar and lead vocals, Elliott on keys and vocals, and Zaac on lead guitar, with their childhood friend Scott Baldwin on drums.  Halfway through recording their debut full length produced by David Kahne(Paul McCartney, Lana Del Rey, Regina Spektor) they added bassist Will Zeglis, who, judging from his performance at their Bowery Ballroom show is easily the most seasoned player. He really took the songs up a few levels.

The Rubens’ success back home got them a major label U.S. deal and they’ve just released that self-titled debut.  At the Ballroom, Sam remarked that although they were playing to all Grouplove fans, he hoped they were winning people over and making them Rubens fans as well. Judging from the cat-calling and response to album lead single and show highlight “My Gun,” he didn’t have too much to worry about there.  The next night, at the McKittrick Hotel, the band seemed more confident and the crowd–there to see the headliners–although more mature about it, were also impressed with a band most were likely unfamiliar with when the evening started.  They’re certainly one to watch, as we wrote at Bonnaroo this summer.

Photos By Kelly Knapp