Review by Ella Donovan. Photos by Madalyn Schaller.
Alternative rock band Grouplove stopped at The Roxian Theatre in McKees Rocks, right outside the city of Pittsburgh on March 22. After years of listening to their songs, Madalyn and Ella were thrilled that they got to see a band that generates such nostalgia for them.
Formed in 2009 by the powerhouse lineup of Hannah Hooper, Christian Zucconi, Sean Gadd, Andrew Wessen, and Ryan Rabin, Grouplove has been rocking venues all over North America. Known for their hit songs “Tongue Tied,” “Ways To Go,” and “Raspberry,” fans had high expectations for the show, and they were not disappointed.
As the band took to the stage, they were in front of a backdrop of pulsating lights and swirling colors. Hannah was on the left with Christian on the right, instantly starting the show off with the high energy song, “Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten.” Christian’s long hair looked as if it was blowing in the wind (there was a small fan on the front of the stage), and Hannah came out in a super cool and fashionable outfit, showcasing her personality. The two lead singers quickly caught the attention of the crowd; their energy was too high to look away.
But it wasn’t just Hannah and Christian who stole the show. Andrew, Sean, and Ryan radiated a contagious joy and enthusiasm to the crowd. There were smiles on everyone’s faces, and I quickly had a feeling this show was going to be amazing.
Grouplove went from song to song, only stopping to talk to the crowd after the first few songs. They had the energy going, and there was no need to slow it down. Fans went insane when the first notes of “Deleter” were played, and started jumping and dancing to “Ways to Go.” You could see the rush of adrenaline that both the band and the crowd had, and it was contagious. If you weren’t dancing yet, you would be very soon.
The performance itself was impressive. Grouplove had a chemistry between the bandmates that you don’t see very often, and it made the concert even more enjoyable. Each band member was great at fan interaction, making the night extra special for those dancing in the pit.
Musically, the band was together and well practiced. I was especially shocked by Hannah’s singing. Her voice rang through The Roxian, leaving me speechless. She sang her high notes so strongly that you would have never guessed that they had been touring for weeks.
As the night was coming to an end, the encore, consisting of “Raspberry,” “Beans on Pizza,” and “Colours,” echoed through the venue. It was hard to believe that the show was already over. Grouplove had delivered an unforgettable performance that left their Pittsburgh fans all buzzing with excitement and joy.
Review by Ella Donovan along with photos by Madalyn Schaller. If sharing images please credit @madalyns.photos and @almostfamouszine.