Photo by Maddy Holmberg
The Atmosphere at the Marquis
After a last minute move from Summit Music Hall, doors opened at Marquis on Thursday night with a line out the door, full of dedicated Colony House fans. Upon entering, the smell of pizza wafts through the bright entrance. Venturing further through the lighted entrance towards the darkness of the venue, I can already see the crowd is compact and close to the stage. For 30 minutes before the openers, it’s a pretty packed house. Several attendees with children and babies stood towards the back of the crowd near the entrance, awaiting to hear a band that must have grown with them through the years.
The photo pit, stage left, was just a temporary spot in the crowd, and as I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the other concert goers I thought about the last time I really listened to Colony House over ten years ago. Their first album, When I Was Younger from 2014, was played loudly and often in my silver slug bug on the way to high school. Leading up to the show was a delightful day of listening to every album that they’ve released since then. How interesting it is to feel nostalgic while listening to something new.
Mercury:
Hailing from Tennessee, this 6 member project led by Maddie Kerr balanced haunting with hypnotic as they opened for Colony House on March 5. Kerr’s vocals, full of poetic grief, pierced longingly atop oscillating guitars. Like alternating waves on a blustery ocean, the members moved ominously in sync. Evocative of shoegaze bands like Silversun Pickups, and perhaps also an enchanting bog siren, Mercury captivated the audience through their mesmerizing sound.
Colony House
Self-described as “landlocked surf rock”, Colony House has been touring and making music for over a decade, and their performance clearly shows this. Led by Caleb Chapman alongside Will Chapman, Scott Mills, and Parke Cottrell, they started the show with flashing, illuminating lights, contributing to the feel of optimism and new beginnings. Soulful and experienced showmen who clearly loved performing, Colony House satisfied all fans with a thoughtful and varied set. “That one was for you, and this one’s for us,” lead singer Chapman said as they closed “You & I” and transitioned to “Hummingbird” off their newest album 77 (Pt. 2). Through resonant vocals, golden strings, and melodic drums their performance conveyed strong feelings of hope and growth.
