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Grizzly Bear have come a long way to get where they are now: modestly taking over the majestic Radio City Music Hall. The band have been working hard for nearly a decade, and have earned every single moment of their recent praise. While taking over the wide stage, they didn’t act like pompous rock stars. They are still the same overly-modest 4 guys who genuinely love what they do. It makes it a lot easier to root for them, to believe in them, and to marvel at the chance of seeing them rock such a beautiful stage.
Last night was their homecoming show for their tour of new album Shields, and they gave it everything that they had and more. Ed Droste’s 91-year-old grandma flew out to show, marking her first time seeing her grandson’s band in action. It was that special of an occasion. It was the first time getting to hear all the new songs live, which breathed instantly throughout the rather large venue, filling the room like they owned it.
“Speak In Rounds” was a deft opener, setting the mood perfectly, and the bar high. From there the band went in and out of their wide range of material, giving every fan the opportunity to hear their own personal favorite. “Yet Again” was a knockout powerhouse, built to last at plus-size shows. “Gun-Shy” was dark and funky, in all the best ways. “Foreground” was just as beautiful as I remembered it. Of course, the biggest ovations received were during “While You Wait For The Others” and “Two Weeks”, and for good reason. These songs literally got a rise from the audience, who lifted themselves from their comfy seats as if they had a choice.
A 3-song encore of “Knife”, “On A Neck, On A Spit”, and an acoustic take of “All We Ask” ended things, and I couldn’t imagine a more fitting ending for a show that was nearly perfect in every which way. This is their moment, and I’m more than happy to have witnessed a small part of it.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra opened things up, and took care of business rather nicely, filling out the venue a lot better than even I expected.
Find a gallery of photos below, with photo duties split between Phil Khmelnitski and myself.
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