An exuberant, near-capacity crowd of 1,800-plus cheered Carlile and her band’s third appearance at the outdoor amphitheater, with The Lone Bellow winning over fans with an invigorating opening set of folk-rock.
Growing Fan Base: Brandi Carlile and her band have attracted a bigger crowd every time they’ve played Meijer Gardens. (Photo/Local Spins)
After watching fans stampede toward the stage as soon as gates opened and then compete for the best spots in the house, there was no way Brandi Carlile could get away without playing an encore. After all, these are fans who know each and every word to each song, have seen the singer-songwriter multiple times and swear by the poetry in her lyrics.
Carlile’s fans love her and she sent that love right back to the crowd of 1,850 Thursday night at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. The weather loved her too, with predicted rain showers holding off.
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Brooklyn-based outfit The Lone Bellow opened things with bluesy, country, alternative folk-rock that boasted Avett Brothers-like harmonies and vivid storytelling abilities. They performed their 45-minute set with an energetic intensity that was tightly constructed, yet spontaneous at times, earning a deserved standing ovation. Lead singer Zach Williams’ plaintive yet focused vocals won over the audience, with standout tunes such as “The One You Should’ve Let Go” sparking fan sing-alongs.
Over her 1-1/2-hour set, Carlile demonstrated that she knows how to bring the house down, jumping around while playing the guitar, exchanging witty banter with the crowd and belting out soaring, emotionally raw, yet controlled high notes.
A TALENTED BAND IMPRESSING DEVOTED FANS
Standard Carlile tunes (“The Story”, “Raise Hell”, “Keep Your Heart Young,” “That Wasn’t Me”, “Hard Way Home”) brought the crowd to its feet, whooping and hollering at the conclusion of each tune. Her talented band also impressed. Twins Phil Hanseroth on bass and Tom Hanseroth on lead guitar, Josh Newman on cello, Gibb Droll on banjo and electric guitar and Konrad Meissner on drums showcased their instrumental versatility as well as an ability to communicate onstage.
Brooklyn’s The Lone Bellow delivered inspiring harmonies in the opening set.
Carlile’s third show at Meijer Gardens left the exhilarated crowd whistling and hoping for a fourth in the not-too-distant future. The feeling was mutual. “You guys are like family now,” Carlile gushed toward the end of the set.
THE VIBE: Luckily for concertgoers, the humidity plaguing West Michigan all week had all but subsided by the time gates opened. Just a cool breeze and the sun peeking out from behind the clouds. Lots of families at the show, as well as plenty of adults out for the night with friends. And the crowd’s enthusiasm fueled Carlile’s energy on stage.
THE NIGHT’S BIG MOMENTS: “Gigs like this don’t end early,” Carlile told a delighted audience eagerly awaiting an encore. Joining Carlile for a stripped down cover of “Angel From Montgomery” was The Lone Bellow.
A revved-up treatment of Sinead O’Connor’s pop classic “Nothing Compares 2 U” paved the way for “Pride and Joy,” off Carlile’s 2009 album “Give Up the Ghost,” ramping up the energy level even further. Lights on stage flashed as the twins each grabbed a drum and tore into a wicked duet; guitar distortion made way for dueling solos.
And in what has become a Carlile tradition, the final song of the night, “Folsom Prison Blues” was an inspired, rousing version of the Johnny Cash classic.
THE BANTER: “He’s the hype man. He’s the Flava Flav of the group.” – Kanene Doheney Pipkin, mandolin player of The Lone Bellow remarking on lead singer Zach Williams’ stage persona.
“I’m gonna ask you all to behave badly tonight. Just yell out whatever s— comes to mind.” – Brandi Carlile
BRANDI CARLILE, THE LONE BELLOW: THE LOCAL SPINS PHOTO GALLERY (JUNE 27, 2013)
Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
Copyright 2013, Spins on Music
