For the second time this year and and the 3rd time in 14 months Katie and I saw The Heavy Heavy live in concert. You can read about the other two times here:
For the first time we are seeing them in Maine, and the show was at the Portland House of Music. This is the smallest venue that we have seen them at, however it was packed shoulder to shoulder with people.
We got there when doors opened at 7pm, and just hung around until Fonteyn went on at 8:15pm. At one point Kate commented that she sounded like Olivia Newton John and from that point on that was all I heard. Near the end of her set she did a cover of Todd Rundgren's "I Saw The Light" stating he was an inspiration, and it was clear that he was. We both really enjoyed them.
It didn't take long for them to remove Fonteyn's equipment to get ready for The Heavy Heavy. The hit the stage at 9:30pm and by then the crowd had really packed in. After a few songs we moved towards the back because the quarters were a bit too tight for my liking. The venue is small enough that you have a great view from anywhere and they just sound so awesome.
I love this new album, every song on it with "Feel" and "Wild Emotions" being my favorite 2 songs on the album. They announced the new album a few months ago, I immediately pre-ordered a signed vinyl from their website and bought it digitally from Amazon music. That day or the next day they announced the tour and I was pumped to see a Portland, Maine show and immediately bought tickets on the presale.
In the months leading to the show they released a few songs I loved each one. The week before the albums September 6 release they did listen parties on Bandcamp and YouTube and I listened to both excited to hear all the songs and asked questions in the live chat.
Sometimes you go to a concert and you get disappointed that the band doesn't play your favorite song. This was not the case. "Feel" was every bit amazing live as I thought it would be. I just love the guitar riff and told Will and Georgie that at the merch table. Will told me they recorded that in one take, which is wild! He may have meant just the guitar part, but I took it as the song.
Frank, who plays guitar, was breaking down the stage so I went and chatted with him. Also saying how much I love that song and the guitar riff. He thanked me and said they have only played it live a couple times and he's still getting the timing down on it and wasn't vey happy with it tonight. I told him I know nothing about playing guitars, but I thought it sounded amazing and I loved it.
I had brought my Life and Life Only first printing album to get signed, which they graciously did. I also bought the tour poster and bought one of the cool felt pennants they had made up.
What I love about this band, aside from the amazing music, is every interaction I've had in person or online has been positive. They seem to really appreciate their fans and even more so the music they are sharing with us.
On my office wall at work I have a cool display going on. I have all three albums signed as well as their Spring and Fall 2024 tour posters. I REALLY love the Fall 2024 poster. I do have the poster from the July 2023 show we went to in Albany, NY but it is not signed.
The first two albums are the 6 and 11 track versions of Life and Life Only, the subtle difference is the color of the words "Life and Life Only". The 6 track was released in June 2022 and the 11 track expanded edition in May 2023. I bought the expanded edition from them in Albany and had it signed there.
Set List
Parakeets
Lemonade
Man of the Hills
Miracle Sun
Feel
Go Down River
Cherry
All My Dreams - Extended Instrumental
Dirt
Unknown Song
Lovestruck
Wild Emotion - with Fonteyn
Happiness
Because You're Mine - Extended Instrumental
Miles and Miles - Extended Intro
Encore:
Real Love Baby - Father John Misty cover
One of a Kind
Fonteyn
Set List - incomplete
These Days
Darlin (How Do I Let You Know?)
I Saw The Light - Todd Rundgren cover
I cannot wait to see them again. Hopefully next time it will be at an all ages show so we can bring our son, currently 9, who would love to see them.
While doing research for this blog I found on DISCOGS this cover art
With the notes: Original 2020 release of the EP. This version was released independently before the band got signed to ATO Records and has different cover artwork.
Now I need to find this version because I can be a completionist and want all the versions. So if anyone has a line on this, please let me know.
Until Next Time!
