Concert Sun Jan 15 2012

Photos and Review: Grouplove @ LincolnHall on 1/14/12

By Kirstie Shanley

The title alone for Grouplove's only full length studio release thus far, Never Trust a Happy Song might lead people to think that the Los Angeles 5 piece was a dismal and depressed bunch. This couldn't be farther from the truth, however. The band has the kind of energy that makes it seem like they are having some great fun on stage and, of course, they also are adept at convincing their audience that making music and performing it is incredibly easy for them. While the construction of a perfect catchy song that can be exuberant and, at the same time, quite meaningful to an audience doesn't come too effortless for many, this five piece may just be one of the lucky talented groups that can pull it off.

It didn't come as any surprise that Grouplove sold out Tomorrow Never Knows festival after the boisterous performance at Lollapalooza but it was still quite impressive that they still were so animated after touring and flying in to Chicago right from Australia. They seemed to enjoy the love of the crowd and the experience of Chicago (though it must have seemed incredibly freezing to them) and this was their main remarkable banter.

The bulk of their approximately 75 minute performance was caught up in the flow of the music itself and they chose their songs to charm their fans quite easily. In constant motion, lead singers Christian Zucconi and Hannah Hooper had great onstage chemistry and let their hair flow as they rocked out, jumped about, and belted out their lyrics to their hearts' delight. In fact, with their amount of gusto, one would expect more like screaming but they delivered their melodies as adeptly and impressively as fans could hope.

Overall, their set also went off without a hitch save for the one mosher (in an otherwise respectfully dancy crowd) who managed to interfere with some of the chords up front. They played most tracks like a much more accomplished band with a sound slightly resembling later period Modest Mouse (think "Float On") and with a bit of the youthful essence of an Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros (think "Home"). They have an indie intrigue but a mainstream radio appeal at the same time and a slight Southern rock tinge amidst the very upbeat poppy tracks.

Grouplove ended up saving perhaps their most famous song "Colours" for their last second encore song but many songs before that were quite memorable, including "Itchin' On a Photograph" and "Tongue Tied" creating an exciting and worthwhile evening for many Tomorrow Never Knows Festival goers.