Los Angeles, the City of Angels, can also be considered the city of exclusive parties. Wednesday night, L.A.-based folk rockers Grouplove played one such party to an intimate crowd at West Hollywood’s iconic Members Only club, Soho House.

One of the great things (there are lots) about Grouplove is the band’s enthusiasm. It doesn’t matter if they are playing to a crowd of 20 or 20,000; those guys (and gal) play their hearts out no matter what.  This may have to do with the fact that the quintet was playing small clubs to crowds of a few hundred a year or so ago and now they’re selling out shows around the country and touring nonstop. This sudden rise in popularity is still new, and from the gleaming smiles on each of their faces when they play, it’s clear that they are still soaking it all in, just grateful to play their songs to fans who love them.

This was the case on Wednesday evening. The five-piece played in the corner of the small club’s dining area, sans stage. While members in attendance for dinner enjoyed their entrees and cocktails, a decent crowd accumulated in front of the indie poppers as they played selections off their debut full-length, Never Trust A Happy Song, including the songs that made the world fall in love with them (“Tongue Tied,” “Colours,”) and their new single, “Itchin’ For A Photograph.”

Though the audience was small, vocalist/guitarist Christian Zucconi sang with all his might and strummed his acoustic guitar until it was about to break, while fellow crooner, Hannah Hooper, harmonized with his voice perfectly as she jumped and flailed around the “stage.” Their energy was infectious, and suddenly the crowd, a mix of old and young, members and guests, let loose and danced along with her, singing along to the songs.

After the quintet played its final tune, Zucconi told his intimate crowd to stick around and have a drink with the band, still grinning from ear to ear.

Grouplove has a busy few months ahead of them. On August 18, the indie outfit heads to Japan for the Summer Sonic festival and then heads back to the U.S. for an extensive tour spanning North America before returning home to play at L.A.’s The Wiltern on November 17. If you have yet to see Grouplove live (and even if you already have), I suggest you see them when they roll into your town. They might even buy you a beer.

Check out full tour dates here.

 

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