Brooks Nielsen & band enliven Nashville’s crowded Cannery Hall

I would like to begin this article by calling out one of my friends in the music community. Many years ago, I had tickets to go see The Growlers in Philadelphia, but I got pretty sick and was unable to attend. I won’t name any names, but I passed my tickets off and the consensus among the new ticket-holders was that they were much better with their studio music than they were live. When I heard this, I felt a spectrum of emotions as I had been a pretty huge fan. Did they have an off show? Were my friends lying to soften the blow of me missing a band I loved so dearly?

Flash forward about 10 years later and I can confidently say they must have been lying to me. 

I set my expectations pretty low as I walked into Cannery Hall. I knew this wouldn’t be the actual Growlers, as the original members (aside from Brooks and Kyle) are now long gone. Brooks Nielsen has released a few solo albums and is now touring on some of his solo stuff; from what I was told, he still performs some random Growlers hits. There wasn’t an opener this evening and, since there was no photo pit to speak of, I assumed this show would be one of those nights where I would pack it up early and relax after a long week of shooting concerts. Much to my surprise, this didn’t end up being the case. 

A few minutes into his opening song “Lo Siento”, I immediately noticed the crowd swaying back and forth as if caught in some hypnotic spell. Brooks Nielsen has a very unique voice… there is something about it in a live setting that mesmerizes. I thought to myself that is was a good opening song and felt a wave of excitement as Nielsen and band rolled into “Derka Blues” and “Love Test” — two solid Growlers songs.

The band was so tight and seemed to be having so much fun up on that stage. I couldn’t wrap my head around how they could have ever been “not that good”. My girlfriend, who has spent the last 25 years of her life going to shows, turned to me and said, “This band is insanely good!”

As the night rolled on, Nielsen and players became more than just “insanely good”… they were honestly one of the best bands I have ever seen live! This night went from me feeling like I might not stay until the end to me praying they would just keep playing songs. Everything felt on. No song, even if I didn’t recognize it, felt like filler. Everything just hit harder and harder until the crowd was screaming “one more song!” as if their lives depended on it at the end.

I attend about four concerts a week…

Everything ranging from massive arenas to small 100-person dive bars is my kind of scene, but nothing I have seen this year felt as magical as Brooks. I think the setlist was absolute perfection and I can’t help but think that Brooks and the rest of his band also noticed how perfect the evening felt. If you have the chance, I am absolutely begging you to buy a ticket to any of his remaining tour dates. You will thank me later! 

Photography by Derek Jones

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