Lord Huron, Escondido get groove on with Michigan-bred indie-folk at The Pyramid Scheme

Los Angeles’ Lord Huron and Nashville’s Escondido rocked a loving bunch of Michigan fans on Monday. Despite sound glitches, Local Spins reviewer Tricia Woolfenden found the sold-out Grand Rapids homecoming an energizing affair.

 

It was a homecoming of sorts at Monday night’s sold-out Lord Huron show at The Pyramid Scheme in downtown Grand Rapids. Both the headlining act and opening band, Escondido, sport strong West Michigan ties and both were quick to make these connections clear to the audience.

And who wouldn’t? Everyone loves the story of a local boy done good. Both bands did much to endear themselves to the 420 or so fans that turned out for the anticipated performance.

Crushes were forged and hearts likely broke as everyone — men and women alike — collectively fell in love with Escondido lead singer Jessica Maro, whose voice is equal parts Neko Case and Mazzy Star. Her effortless cool (and considerable pipes) are the perfect complement to Holland native Tyler James’ guitar work and modern, Urban Outfitters-friendly hippie vibe.

Their work has been described as “desert rock” with a cinematic sheen and certainly, this music would be at home in a sexy/gritty Quentin Tarantino cowgirl revenge flick. Pass the whiskey and the cigarettes and saddle up for the ride: This is a band worth watching in a dark, intimate space like the Scheme.

Headliners Lord Huron — who also claim Michigan connections, led by Okemos native and lead singer Ben Schneider — were a bit more challenging to get a handle on in the intimate setting of the Scheme.

The band’s own sound team — who controlled the boards throughout their 70-or-so-minute set — was hit and miss with the balance: Feedback was a frequent issue and the vocals were never as loud as desired. But the band was energized and on fire, generous with their performance and plenty of beautiful moments shone through the roughness.

THE VIBE

Grand Rapids’ cool kids packed the venue to rock out to the sort of music that proves that just because something has been called indie-folk doesn’t mean it has to be aggressively quiet or subdued. There certainly was some frustration during the technical glitches, but all in all, people appeared to be getting their groove on and enjoying the ride.

THE NIGHT’S BIG MOMENTS

Escondido sounding like warm honey dripping through the speakers, capped off by Maro’s unexpectedly huge voice. A lot of sound for a three-piece band.

Lord Huron’s two-fer of “Ghost on the Shore” and “She Lit a Fire.” The band dug in deep and the crowd dug it.

THE BANTER

A lot (like, a lot) of love for Michigan and particularly West Michigan from both bands. Because these guys each can claim the Mitten State as their own, it felt sincere and not a ploy to gain audience affection. Not that either band would’ve needed to stoop to such lows: The sold-out crowd came ready to show their love.

LORD HURON AND ESCONDIDO: THE LOCAL SPINS PHOTO GALLERY (6/17/13)

Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
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