The three brothers and a cousin with Oklahoma and Tennessee roots are riding a more comfortable wave as evidenced by last night\u2019s energetic, intense, but fun frolic through the group\u2019s 18 years as a band.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use Somebody had even the most casual of fans singing every word and dancing in the aisles. It\u2019s a number that still sounds as fresh and vital as it did nearly a decade ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following a tasteful and decidedly un-tacky acoustic set, which included Milk, Talihina Sky and the title cut from WALLS, the group jumped back into tuneful jam mode with both feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dropping the red shears that gave the stage an old theatre feel, they let it rip with arena-size anthems and production in Find Me, Radioactive, The Immortals, Notion, and another sing and clap along of On Call, the crowd still with them every step of the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The free-form ebb-and-flow of the evening was a suitable set up for the evening\u2019s climax of Sex On Fire, which sent a terrific crowd to the exits satisfied \u2013 and then some.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Opening the evening was excellent California folk and rock act, Dawes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the uninitiated, they certainly struck into the hearts and minds of the KOL die-hards. The group\u2019s consistency across five albums has earned it a following, but the band remains on the periphery of mainstream acceptance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Singer-guitarist Taylor Goldsmith led the scrappy combo through grabbing and instantly memorable organ-infused number, Things Happen, which was quickly followed by the fuzzy guitar and bass-heavy, If I Wanted Someone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apologizing for taking the stage a full hour after the scheduled start time, the group kept the vibe airy and poppy through One Of Us and A Little Bit Of Everything, prior to funking it up with Roll With The Punches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The California folk sound that the group is often identified with shone through on Time Spent In Los Angeles and a not-so-obvious nod to \u201980s Jackson Browne on set-closers, From The Right Angle and the gorgeous Tom Petty dedication, All Your Favourite Bands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seeing Dawes under any circumstance was a cool experience. Last night\u2019s hockey rink gig was one that only made you want to see them in a theatre or club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A good band by any stretch . . . a great band in the right venue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n