Review: Pinegrove
Photo and Review by Deanna Gaudet
October 6, 2017
San Diego’s church-turned-concert venue, The Irenic, hosted an excited congregation on the first Friday of October. The presider for the evening’s services? A New Jersey indie rock act by the name of Pinegrove.
Venue patrons were already packed in early for opener Lomelda, a project of singer-songwriter Hannah Read. She stood clothed head to toe in denim, a quiet and unassuming spirit producing reflective, velvety tunes with the help of her electric guitar and a drummer. The audience was mostly unaware that this was not the last they would see of her that night, as she would later take up the bass with Pinegrove.
Next up: Brooklyn-based Florist. Gently strummed acoustic guitar, sparse drums, and spacey synths made up most of their musical arsenal. Audience members could be seen trying to get a closer look as one member stroked an electric guitar with a violin bow. Their lyrics were largely introspective and felt highly personal. “You guys make me feel like oversharing,” shares soft-spoken lead Emily Sprague. “Maybe I’ll tell somebody later, but just know that it means so much to be playing here tonight.” Sprague’s gratefulness sparked a genial, understanding connection with the observing audience.
The crowd was ready for a change of pace by the time Pinegrove lead singer Evan Stephen Hall made his way onto the stage with his bandmates, proudly brandishing a beach-ready bucket hat. “This show is dedicated to my cool new hat!” he proclaimed before launching into an intensely energetic set. A tattoo peeking out from behind his left sleeve presented two overlapping squares, a reference to the album cover of their critically-acclaimed 2016 release, Cardinal. Hall’s whole body was constantly in motion, arms and legs jiving in time with the music. Although attention was focused on Hall, the whole band behind him supported his commanding presence with skill that felt loose and genuine. Even during their slowest songs, Pinegrove showed a passion that was audible in Hall’s voice and the flair present in their instrumentals. Their more up-tempo jams evoked classic rock energy and spirit: raw, lively, and compelling. There was commendable vigor in the way the band approached every inch of their country-tinged rock. Their lyrics were potent and authentic.
Between songs were interspersed bouts of banter. Hall shared stories of their antics at the beach. He waxed poetic about a plush sloth. He shared the band’s quest to seek out the fastest song with a color in the title. He questioned belief in numerology while arguing that thirty-six is a better number than thirty-seven. He admired the simple beauty of the church space they had come to inhabit for the night.
Probably the juiciest tidbit revealed during these moments is still a half-secret; their third studio album, Skylight, is due out in about six months. And if you’re wondering… Yes, their signature square motif will live on in their album art: just like their first two albums.
Even as they provided a glimpse of what is to come via their new track “Darkness,” they made sure to satisfy with tastes of their oldest works and more recent, beloved tracks. One of the night’s most powerful audience reactions came upon introduction of Cardinal’s opening track, “Old Friends.” The audience knew the lyrics, likely finding comfort in the relatable nature of a song about the regret we feel for neglecting past relationships.
Stepping back onstage for a two-song encore, Pinegrove debuted another number from their forthcoming album: a soulful rocker entitled “Intrepid.” To finish off their set, the band presented the final track from Cardinal: “New Friends.” Hall shared that although the song’s original meaning was about making peace with your old friends, it has recently taken on new significance. The message: be good to all the people you don’t know. It was a fitting reminder in a crowd of strangers, and a fitting reminder for the world at large.
San Diego’s church-turned-concert venue, The Irenic, hosted an excited congregation on the first Friday of October. The presider for the evening’s services? A New Jersey indie rock act by the name of Pinegrove.
Venue patrons were already packed in early for opener Lomelda, a project of singer-songwriter Hannah Read. She stood clothed head to toe in denim, a quiet and unassuming spirit producing reflective, velvety tunes with the help of her electric guitar and a drummer. The audience was mostly unaware that this was not the last they would see of her that night, as she would later take up the bass with Pinegrove.
Next up: Brooklyn-based Florist. Gently strummed acoustic guitar, sparse drums, and spacey synths made up most of their musical arsenal. Audience members could be seen trying to get a closer look as one member stroked an electric guitar with a violin bow. Their lyrics were largely introspective and felt highly personal. “You guys make me feel like oversharing,” shares soft-spoken lead Emily Sprague. “Maybe I’ll tell somebody later, but just know that it means so much to be playing here tonight.” Sprague’s gratefulness sparked a genial, understanding connection with the observing audience.
The crowd was ready for a change of pace by the time Pinegrove lead singer Evan Stephen Hall made his way onto the stage with his bandmates, proudly brandishing a beach-ready bucket hat. “This show is dedicated to my cool new hat!” he proclaimed before launching into an intensely energetic set. A tattoo peeking out from behind his left sleeve presented two overlapping squares, a reference to the album cover of their critically-acclaimed 2016 release, Cardinal. Hall’s whole body was constantly in motion, arms and legs jiving in time with the music. Although attention was focused on Hall, the whole band behind him supported his commanding presence with skill that felt loose and genuine. Even during their slowest songs, Pinegrove showed a passion that was audible in Hall’s voice and the flair present in their instrumentals. Their more up-tempo jams evoked classic rock energy and spirit: raw, lively, and compelling. There was commendable vigor in the way the band approached every inch of their country-tinged rock. Their lyrics were potent and authentic.
Between songs were interspersed bouts of banter. Hall shared stories of their antics at the beach. He waxed poetic about a plush sloth. He shared the band’s quest to seek out the fastest song with a color in the title. He questioned belief in numerology while arguing that thirty-six is a better number than thirty-seven. He admired the simple beauty of the church space they had come to inhabit for the night.
Probably the juiciest tidbit revealed during these moments is still a half-secret; their third studio album, Skylight, is due out in about six months. And if you’re wondering… Yes, their signature square motif will live on in their album art: just like their first two albums.
Even as they provided a glimpse of what is to come via their new track “Darkness,” they made sure to satisfy with tastes of their oldest works and more recent, beloved tracks. One of the night’s most powerful audience reactions came upon introduction of Cardinal’s opening track, “Old Friends.” The audience knew the lyrics, likely finding comfort in the relatable nature of a song about the regret we feel for neglecting past relationships.
Stepping back onstage for a two-song encore, Pinegrove debuted another number from their forthcoming album: a soulful rocker entitled “Intrepid.” To finish off their set, the band presented the final track from Cardinal: “New Friends.” Hall shared that although the song’s original meaning was about making peace with your old friends, it has recently taken on new significance. The message: be good to all the people you don’t know. It was a fitting reminder in a crowd of strangers, and a fitting reminder for the world at large.