The Oh Hellos

House of Blues // Chicago, IL // March 9, 2018

There’s nothing like seeing an 8-piece band screaming at the top of their lungs to a sold-out crowd.

Forget everything you know about folk music, because The Oh Hellos throw those cliches out the window. The brother-sister led group (Tyler and Maggie Heath) released their sixth album, Eurus, earlier this year to rave reviews from fans and critics alike. Their sound is a blend of early Arcade Fire and The Decemberists (think big drums, violin solos, and screaming choruses), but they also bring a lot of humor to their shows. At the beginning of their set, they asked fans to dance along with them like they were being attacked by birds. “Just throw your arms up in the air and swing away, but be careful…y’know don’t really hit your neighbors or any birds.”

Selling out the House of Blues is no easy task, but The Oh Hellos’ fans were elated to squeeze together and sing along. It was one of those rare instances where no one had their phones out taking blurry cell shots; rather, the crowd was simply excited to be in the moment. The Oh Hellos bring a plethora of musicians with them on tour, and while the band is technically the brother-sister duo, it’s clear that everyone onstage is family. Playing a solid blend of fast-paced rock songs and slow bluegrass jams, Tyler and Maggie Heath showed off their harmonizing vocals beautifully. Their first NPR Tiny Desk Concert, which aired in December of 2015, helped them reach a wider audience and gain a lot of notoriety. They were asked back to play the next holiday season and put on a traditional Christmas show, which it seems like they were born to do (Tyler Heath released a solo Christmas album back in 2009). Their momentum hasn’t lost any speed, and as more and more people find out about this humble little band, it’s going to be that much harder to get a ticket to their show.

The Oh Hellos continue their tour in the Pacific Northwest, but tickets are selling out fast. Check out their tour dates HERE.

The Oh Hellos