The Head and the Heart Warehouse Live November 14, 2013
I think Thursday is starting to be that night again where everyone decides not to worry about how they feel the next morning at work. When I was growing up, "thirsty" Thursdays were the thing, especially when I was first legally allowed to get a drink in a bar. It seemed to stop being a thing, with each day of the week taking over as that weekday that was socially acceptable to have a few cocktails.
Well, the past few weeks around town have been noticeably busier at bars, restaurants and concert venues, packing rooms with people looking to let loose. That was no different at Warehouse Live Thursday, where The Head and the Heart were headlined their first show in Houston since last summer's not-nearly-as-packed performance at Fitzgerald's.
In just a year's time, they've taken that next step into the bigger ballrooms, selling out shows from coast to coast. And for good reason too. While their sudden rise in popularity is due to a handful of songs that have been overplayed on the radio, the programming gods finally got it right for once and allowed a band that actually deserves it to get their due.
It's always interesting following a band during their gradual rise to the top, seeing how much regular touring and a solid list of songs pays off in the long run. While they've been fortunate enough to have so much radio play, they wouldn't have had the continued success that they've had without being such road stalwarts. They know what they're doing on a live stage, and present their music in a way that makes it sound even better than on record.
The Head and the Heart have made it all the way from opening for bands at smaller clubs just a few years ago all the way to selling out a Thursday evening slot at Warehouse Live -- a pretty impressive feat for such a young band that only recently released their sophomore followup to their widely successful eponymous Sub Pop debut. It's much different to stand behind 2,000 people to see a band rather than behind just two, but the Head and the Heart have translated their performance perfectly from the small stages they commanded not too long ago to the significantly bigger and more packed-out rooms of today.
While several people in attendance didn't really seem to be there for any purpose other than conversation with their sorority sisters they've been holding on to for the past decade, most others were there because they actually loved the band. If it were on any other week night than Thursday, we fans would have been left alone with the band, allowed to fully enjoy what they were finely displaying onstage throughout the night.
It's too bad some people paid their way in just to talk to their friends, leaving the show sold out, because I know I saw several people outside who would have given their left leg to catch that performance.
Review continues on the next page.
