Two unique bands play Township Auditorium
A little rock, a little vintage and a lot of passion is the best way to describe the up-and-coming band Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.
Following opener Sam Roberts Band, the unique four–member band consisting of vocalist/keyboardist/guitarist Grace Potter, vocalist/drummer Matt Burr, guitarist/bassist/keyboardist/vocalist Scott Tournet and guitarist/bassist/vocalist Benny Yurco took the stage Wednesday night at Columbia’s own Township Auditorium. Playing popular hits like “Time Keeper,” the band drew an enthusiastic crowd of all ages under purple and blue pulsating lights.
“Very anti–top 100 music like this with an eclectic feel just feels like something you would have heard 30 years ago,” said third–year history student and concert–goer Jonathan Rosado. “And I just like it.”
Potter led the way on stage calmly in her glitzy boots, captivating the audience with sexy vocals and quirky riffs. From the beginning, the audience sang along to one of their first songs of the night, “Low Road,” coming to their feet all together and hooting Potter into flamboyant and energetic head banging and clapping.
The female lead, Potter, a Vermont native, got her start at open mic nights at St. Lawrence University. In 2002, Burr approached her asking if she was interested in starting a band. After some hesitation, she joined with two others at her college to make a sound all their own. The band members hold their own onstage, each with a unique personal style that altogether is very passionate and engaging. One guitarist has long locks; one has an afro; Potter was rocking a glittery black number, and the drummer was rocking a bandanna about his neck.
In 2004, the band, named after their late–night lifestyle, released their first album, “Original Soul” with jazzy, low–key songs that got some noted recognition. They went on to release their second album, “Nothing But the Water” in 2006 and gained even more success from their third album, “This Is Somewhere,” in 2010.
Their mixture of pop, rock and jazz has guided them around the country with an array of different fans and Hollywood recognition. The Township was swaying in unison during their set, singing along with voices a far cry from Potter’s own sultry croons, but just as enthusiastically. The intimate audience echoed the relatability of the lyrics of both bands. Just as some songs were slower and more mellow, the next tune would be wild and loud, with Potter flailing her hair and the drummer going crazy.
With a less popular name, but an equally as interesting sound, Sam Roberts Band kicked off Wednesday’s show. Hailing from Canada, Roberts and the group played their acoustic rock songs with beautiful original lyrics and unique guitar sounds, as if Kings of Leon and The Black Keys had a musical love child. Similar to Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Sam Roberts Band has a vintage feel reminiscent of the sounds of the ’60s and ’70s.
“Thanks for a memorable tour of the south,” said Roberts at the start of the show. “It’s been a real pleasure. We put those flip–flops on so fast.”