As summer turns to fall, Minnesotans begin to look indoors for music and community. Fortunately, on October 22nd, the last grasp of summer gave concertgoers a beautiful 70-degree evening to attend various shows downtown. The band Fruit Bats, scheduled to play at the First Avenue-owned venue The Fine Line, drew a large crowd.
On a Thursday, no less, the Fine Line was packed close to capacity, with eager showgoers sharing every inch of the venue with each other and finding whatever room they could to dance.
The band took the stage at approximately 9:15pm, with a delayed entrance of their singer songwriter front man Eric D. Johnson. As Johnson took the stage the crowd erupted in the enthusiastic applause. The energy in the room was that of a crowd that not only enjoys the bands music, but also has been touched personally by the grounded yet poetic lyrics that Johnson has produced over the course of his career.
Prior to the start of the show, I wondered at what speed the band would move through their setlist. If one were to listen to their studio albums, they’d be surprised to find that the band’s live show brings an extra jolt of energy to each and every song.
Not to say that their studio work is boring, but many of those recordings tend to lean toward introspectivity and a calmer rhythm. Live, however, this group proved they are a true rock band that came to play.
Johnson’s voice also hits a new level when performing live. Studio albums often present his vocals as softer, relying primarily on the falsetto range. On stage, however, his voice moves to the front of the arrangement, where his strength and full range truly create magic. Fans sing along with Johnson, whose voice infuses the room with energy and reminds showgoers why this band has become so special to them over the years.
The band’s setlist for this show included many songs from their hit album Gold Past Life, such as “The Bottom of It,” “Cazadera,” and “Mandy From Mohawk.”
Although this record has stood the test of time, material from their lesser-known albums also found remarkable resonance, particularly when played in front of such a committed fanbase.
The band’s studio recordings offer listeners a calm, digestible, and introspective experience. However, their live show brings that and more, incorporating aspects which energize each and every track and give Johnson’s voice the platform to shine forth.
The show ended with as much enthusiasm as it began. The band encored with their hit “Humbug Mountain Song.” Once again, the band transformed this track from a folky, banjo-driven studio recording into a rousing finale for their seasoned rock performance.
