One, two, one two three four …
On one warm summer night, I strolled through downtown Ann Arbor and made my way to The Ark for the very first time. I was buzzing with excitement to finally see John Gallagher Jr. and Bandits on the Run perform, after interviewing them a few weeks before. Once I entered the Ford Listening Room, I immediately felt a wave of tranquility in the 400-seat venue.
Courtesy of Jovanna Gallegos
The lights dimmed at 8 p.m., and all eyes turned to Gallagher who strode on stage with just a guitar, setting the tone for an intimate acoustic set. He opened with the title track of his new album Goodbye or Something. Gallagher followed with the somber “Back in Berkeley,” a song that seemed to resonate even more in a live setting deeply due to its melancholy amplified by the quiet, attentive room.
When he performed “Chelsea Help Me,” Gallagher made subtle yet impactful stylistic choices, such as slowing the tempo and adding soulful inflections, giving the song a newfound emotional weight. He introduced the song “Hidden Ring,” with enthusiasm, acknowledging the irony of his upbeat demeanor despite the song’s somber lyrics. This contrast only heightened the intimacy of the performance, as the audience seemed to lean in closer, hanging on every note.
Gallagher’s eyes were closed for most of his performance, fully immersing himself in the music. In turn, this drew the audience deeper into the shared moment. He transitioned from playing songs off his new album to several optimistic unreleased tracks, humorously noting that he wanted to prove that he also writes songs when he’s happy. This lighthearted comment added a sense of warmth and connection to the set, making the audience feel like they were part of an inside joke.
“Tough Spit” stood out with its comically dark political commentary, touching on themes of democracy and gun violence. The song’s sharp wit contrasted with the weight of its subject matter, showcasing Gallagher’s ability to blend humor and seriousness seamlessly. He dedicated “Shining Child” to the Bandits, although it felt more like a love song to his new beau. Regardless, it was clear that whoever inspired the song was incredibly special. Lyrics such as “It’s been so long since someone I really liked had been so kind. I guess it sort of took me by surprise” were truly beautiful.
Throughout the performance, Gallagher’s humor and candor were constants. He joked about his age, shared stories about life on the road and created a warm rapport with the audience. These moments of levity, paired with the emotional depth of his music, made the set feel both personal and communal. He closed his set with the audience-requested “Instagram Crush” and the poignant “All The Rest,” leaving the audience with a sense of connection and longing as if they had shared something profound with the artist and each other.
Courtesy of Jovanna Gallegos
After Gallagher’s set, the stage was set for Bandits on the Run. They opened with “You Have Changed,” immediately capturing the audience’s attention; multi-instrumentalist Regina Strayhorn’s powerful vocals backed by cellist Sydney Shepherd and guitarist Adrian Enscoe created a dynamic start to the 90-minute set. They followed with “Love In The Underground,” a whimsical song that captures the magic of chance encounters.
As the set progressed, the band’s performance only grew stronger, with the second half of their setlist standing out as some of the night’s most memorable moments. This portion of the show took a musical theatre turn, not only showcasing their musical talent but also their ability to emotionally connect with the audience, leaving a lasting impression. Enscoe led a cover of The Avett Brothers’ “No Hard Feelings,” a song featured in the upcoming Broadway musical “Swept Away,” in which both he and Gallagher will star. Their crowd work was on high display during “Lover & His Lass” from their “As You Like It” adaptation, dividing the audience into three groups and employing each to sing a chime. Shepherd delivered a show-stopper when performing a song from the band’s “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?” musical adaptation. The audience had no choice but to sit still, watching her perform as if she were on stage for 1,000 people.
A highlight of the night was their soulful folk cover of “I Believe In A Thing Called Love,” due to its striking contrast with the original rock version. The band’s reimagining of the song demonstrated their creativity and ability to bring a refreshing perspective to well-known tracks. They closed with their friendship anthem “We Battle Giants,” a sweet and heartfelt tribute to their bond, sharing that they wrote the song for one of Shepherd’s birthdays. The warmth and sincerity of this song made it a perfect closer, leaving the audience feeling both uplifted and connected to the band.
They received a standing ovation and came back for an encore with a reimagined Fleetwood Mac mashup. Featuring different chord progressions from the original songs and the nice addition of an accordion, the encore was a fitting end to a performance that had been full of surprises and creativity.
The band’s humor — they referenced the Spiderman meme and made a joke about a fish with no eye — kept their audience engaged and entertained. Their storytelling between songs, especially about their busking origins and other personal anecdotes, created an intimate connection with the audience. Bandits on the Run truly is a band that thrives during a live show. The performance was a testament to their enamoring camaraderie and glee, with each member shining in their role.
The concert at The Ark was more than just great music; it was an evening filled with heartfelt performances, humor and genuine connection. John Gallagher Jr. and Bandits on the Run delivered a memorable performance that left everyone exhilarated. Although I only recently discovered their music, their performance was unforgettable, and I can confidently say both acts’ effects on me will be long-lasting.
Daily Arts Contributor Jovanna Gallegos can be reached at jovanna@umich.edu.
The post Acoustic wonders and theatrical thrills: John Gallagher Jr. and Bandits on the Run at The Ark appeared first on The Michigan Daily.
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