Recap: The Growlers’ Triumphant Show at The Vic

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I got to spend this past Friday night at The Vic, where I got to witness The Growlers performing to a sold-out crowd. This was only my second time catching Brooks Nielsen and crew, one of my admitted favorite bands of the last couple of years, but I knew this time the dynamic would be different since I no longer came in with the fresh eyes someone would have when they’re excited about finally seeing an artist in concert and because this show was taking place well after the release of their latest album City Club so the setlist wouldn’t revolve mostly on their better-known songs. My last impression of the band left me with nothing but praises for them, and as I walked into the Vic this time around, I had nothing but high hopes that they would put on another memorable performance.

Kicking things off was the awesomely-named multi-instrumentalist, Delicate Steve, who wowed the crowd with his brilliant guitar playing.  At first glance it felt like this choice for a show opener was kind of peculiar, seeing how his sound is a more Experimental brand of music, but after a couple of songs into his set, it was clear that what he lacked in showmanship, he more than made up for in talent on the 6-string. Each song started with “woos” and “yeahs” and ended with hoots and hollers. Delicate Steve also interacted with fans in a way that got them involved with how he and his backing band would play onstage, consistently asking if they wanted the slow or fast versions of his songs, and then performing according to the crowd’s reception. This man’s fun through and through.

Delicate Steve actually wound up joining the headliners on stage for their entire set. The Growlers came out to wild fanfare; the 1,000 capacity venue erupted passionately especially the second they saw lead singer Brooks approaching the mic. That energy alone was enough to foreshadow this concert was going to be one to remember.

Though the first few songs leaned heavily on their earliest work with performances of “Hashima” and “Hiding Under Covers,” it was refreshing to see that the band was not abandoning this new direction they’d taken on the record nor relying too heavily on the music that made them cult favorites and included plenty of City Club tracks on the set list. There was a cool balance of their crowd-pleasing tracks with deep cuts, covers, and stand-out songs off their new venture with Cult Records. Their sound now certainly is noticeably different, seemingly setting aside their dirtier guitar parts and adopting even beachier tones. It felt as if they are slightly waning the Goth portion of that signature Beach Goth sound they created.

Brooks still struts around doing his side-to-side swaying and singing in his gravelly voice, with the only thing “changing” about him is a rising status of being a heartthrob. I mean, I always knew people were in love with the guy, but it was impressive how much that love for him keeps growing stronger.

“Black Memories” brought the first big singalong of the night and that was followed immediately by “Someday,” which kept the good vibes going. The warmer rendition of this second one came equipped with an equally sweet solo from Delicate Steve, which made fans roar; it was so sunny that it felt like it would be something that would make a young Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys proud. “Rare hearts” sounded a little more like a Doo Wop tune that was slow enough to hypnotize. Steve stole the show again here, with a subtle take on the solo that just worked so well.

The Reggae-tinged new track “Late Bloomers” (above) was brilliant and groovy; a great break in between los Growlers’ classics. “One Million Lovers” was the next great track that moved the crowd, with phones up, dancing all around, and some chill crowd surfing.

“Vacant Lot” was my favorite example of how a band can reimagine the studio version of a track and perform something onstage that is much more exciting. This Grunge version was infinitely cooler, and the badass role felt like it suited them well. Another worthy example of how switching things up for a live shows works was their new version of the title track of their 2016 album. They stripped “City Club” of its disco flare and opted for a more orchestral take. The chorus was a fantastic shared experience, with the crowd adding so much more gravity to the song by singing it at the top of their lungs. The Classic Rock guitar parts really shined now; it was more leather and less neon. And their Shaft-like jam break leading into a glittery interpretation of “Chinese Fountain” felt primed for Studio 54. The song sounded like it was the younger cousin of “Heart of Glass.”

Another one of my favorite moments came via their one-two punch of a cover of William Onyeabor’s “Good Name” that gave way to a grittier “Rag & Bone,” which featured a bigger chorus and a much more guitar-heavy execution.

The calls for an encore that followed were almost deafening (and I had earplugs). Few times have I heard a crowd more riled up and supportive like this Vic Theatre crowd. The hollering continued until they finally came back out, when it only grew louder.

Closing out with a moving version of “Going Gets Tough” was the cherry on top of an already highlight-filled night. Fans really let out their emotions when they (*we) sang this one with Brooks, and it felt like we were all passionately opening up about our greatest fears/struggles and collectively declaring those fears will not defeat us. It was a different kind of love that filled that room, and it was the perfect kind of remedy for whatever may ail us.

The Growlers solidified themselves as one of those bands that although they’re gaining greater attention, they still play as if every performance is a special intimate show for a crowd of diehard fans. This concert will definitely appear on my year-end list of top concerts of 2017.

Photo Credit: Oscar Oliva Jr. / Pursuit Of Dopeness

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