Grouplove concert brings unique sound to campus

This year’s main Spring Fair concert, Grouplove, along with openers Carolina Liar and Magic Man was surprisingly spectacular despite the performers’ relative obscurity among students and the low turnout. 

Though Magic Man played great music, of the two openers, Carolina Liar definitely stuck out more. (Perhaps it was lead vocalist Chad Wolf’s long luscious locks of hair.)

Even audience members who were not familiar with the group’s music were enthusiastically nodding along as they performed their most famous song, “Show Me What I’m Looking For,” among others. It had a particularly poignant sound and seemed to evoke the most energy from an otherwise calm audience. However, the Rec Center’s acoustics made the band hard to hear at some points.

At around 9:30, Grouplove arrived on stage in a flurry of color backdrops and bright lighting, starting with the catchy “Itchin on A Photograph,” which is the first song on their latest album, Never Trust A Happy Song. The crowd, which had been restless after the long break after Carolina Liar, quickly revived once Grouplove started playing.

The band made some unique clothing choices, with vocalist Hayley Hooper wearing what looked like a cross between a flowy cape and a large white tarp.

While the Rec Center was not very crowded, those in the front row were extremely energetic throughout the concert, swaying with the music and cheering enthusiastically. The band made sure to play hits such as “Lovely Cup” and “Naked Kids.” “Lovely Cup” showcases both their creative lyrics (“you’re such a lovely cup/why don’t you fill me up”) and their ability to transform seamlessly from calm verses to upbeat choruses.

They held off on singing their hits “Tongue Tied” and “Colours” until their encore. The entire audience, even the ones who probably hadn’t listened to Grouplove before, sang along to “Tongue Tied.” If more of Grouplove’s songs had been radio friendly, the entire concert would have been like that.

The best part of the concert, however, was when Hooper sang “Slow.” Her ethereal voice combined with the pulsing strobe lights held the audience in a captivated silence, that is, until she glided into the crowd. The front row became ecstatic, with everyone trying to touch her hands before she and the rest of the band darted off stage.