There could not have been a better way to start my night at the Orpheum than walking along the Common with a latte in hand. The old-fashioned entrance, tucked away in a side street, displays Boston’s history with ornate masonry and a classic marquee. Last night, it read “Grizzly Bear.” The opening band, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, was not mentioned on the marquee, yet they certainly made an impression on the crowd.
Walking into the theater for the first time I was disappointed. The Orpheum has hosted film, vaudeville, opera, and various other live performances, so I should have anticipated assigned seating. I was a few minutes late, but still caught the end of UMO’s opening song, “Little Blu House.”
Unknown Mortal Orchestra, a whimsical and sometimes dark psychedelic-rock group from Portland, Oregon, is comprised of Ruban Nielson on vocals and guitar, Jake Portrait on bass, and Julien Ehrlich on drums. Together this grungy trio produced a self-titled debuting album, strong enough to earn an invitation to tour with the ever-popular Grizzly Bear, and to release another album early next year, Nielson claims. They played the majority of their old album and treated the audience to the first single from their new one, “Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark)”, which hit social media sites just last week. UMO ended their set with an epic cacophonous jam accompanied by frantic strobes, which slowed into a trance-y fade out that had me wanting more. They preformed a quirky and raw show; it was a perfect introduction for the mellow sounds of Grizzly Bear.
During intermission, the seats filled with über hipsters, eccentric couples, and grey haired music lovers. As soon as Chris Bear, Ed Droste, Daniel Rossen, and Chris Taylor (the quartet of Grizzly Bear) walked on stage, the audience welcomed them with a standing ovation. Singer Ed Droste mentioned the significance of performing in Boston, his hometown, explaining, “My mother is here, my old teachers are here, even my babysitter from when I was a kid is here tonight.” Though Grizzly Bear is a household name for indie music, the artists have preserved a humble charisma. They played their hits and other songs from the 2012 album Shields, but more importantly, Grizzly Bear put on a real show. Two rows of nine jellyfish-looking metal lanterns drifted up and down throughout the performance, lighting sometimes in unison and other times sporadically, creating visuals that accompanied their quaint melodies and hearty bass. Each band member played at least two instruments and shared vocal roles, which created a sense of equity amongst the four. I was charmed by Grizzly Bear’s talent, artistry, and graciousness, and was not surprised when they were begged back for an encore, during which they played the audience-anticipated songs “Alligator” and “Knife.”
Together, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Grizzly Bear put on a great show that should give UMO more recognition and keep Grizzly Bear at the top of the indie music world.
By: Jessica Bacchi