New Albany, Indiana’s Houndmouth began their 2016 Spring Tour in our hometown of Lexington, Ky. The band took the stage at Manchester Music Hall on a Friday evening, March 4th, to a sold out crowd. The line to get into the venue stretched down Manchester Street and the air was cold enough to see your breath; however spirits of ticket holders were not dampened as we awaited excitedly. Those searching for tickets on Craigslist in the days before the show could see a post for “Pearl Jam tickets TRADE for Houndmouth,” talk about a hot ticket.

The newly-renovated Manchester Music Hall (previously Buster’s) is quickly becoming a staple in the Lexington music community, hosting an array of genres from country, to rock and hip-hop. Both the interior and exterior of the venue have been updated, giving the location a fresh look.

Soon after, Houndmouth took the stage flooded in bright neon pink from their fluorescent marquee sign, roaring straight into “Black Gold.” The band was also accompanied by a two-man horn section, transforming each song into fuller, more orchestral versions of what we’d seen on previous tours.

The show was an all out sing-along as audience members threw their arms around their neighbors to join in belting out the lyrics to each song, led by frontman Matt Myers. As it turns out, Lexington knows their Houndmouth lyrics.

The chemistry on stage was electric. In “On the Road” Katie Toupin sings “Hey there boy in blue, I think there’s something wrong with you.” The line is very literal as she directs her gaze towards Myers, dawning a navy blue sports jacket.

By the time the set ended with “Sedona” the crowd was ready to erupt when the song slowly built up into an explosive “SO BRIGHT AND PINK!” cheer. The fluorescent light seemed to burn a little brighter now.

Setlist

“Dream Weaver” . Finally they would end with the honky-tonk jam “My Cousin Greg,” always reminding us that “If you want to live the good Life, You better stay away from the Limelight.”

Black Gold*

15 Years*

Halfway to Hardinsburg

On the Road

Darlin*

Say It*

Honey Slider*

Hey Rose

Casino*

Game Show* (new song)

Gasoline*

Houston Train

Sedona*

Encore

Dream Weaver* (cover)

Southside (new song)

My Cousin Greg*

* Played with Horn Section

.