REVIEW: Bryce Vine @ House of Blues 2/19
Review by Hannah Martin
Photo credit: Bellamy Brewster
Bryce Vine’s upcoming album “Motel California” is on the way, and if you were at his concert at Citizens House of Blues on February 19th, you definitely knew that. He made sure of that—having the crowd shout it out at least five times.
However, Boston concert-goers were excited to blissfully yell and celebrate the release, myself included. Bryce Vine brought impressive energy to the venue, and his passion for performing was palpable. Although played on a Wednesday, this show felt like a weekend night with the crowd’s nonstop dancing and true zeal for the live music.
Before Vine took the stage, JayO, a rising musical artist with upbeat hip-hop beats, opened the show. JayO kept everyone entertained, as he traveled across the stage and made meaningful interactions with the crowd. Toward the end of his set, he had everyone turn and hug someone—someone you know or not, which was a fun way to connect the crowd. Throughout the venue people leaned over to hug a friend or stranger alike, sharing the joy of the moment. Going even further, he took out a Polaroid camera, snapped a picture, and gave it to a fan at the front of the crowd. Each song was full of catchy lyrics that were easy for individuals to catch on to, even if they came into the venue not knowing a single lyric.
After JayO left, the crowd was energized. After a short waiting period, Bryce Vine came on the stage, causing the crowd to shriek in excitement before a single word was sung. The dedication of the fanbase was clear throughout the show, even resulting in Vine handing over his microphone to a loyal fan in the audience to successfully rap an entire verse. Vine was visually overwhelmed with gratitude for the fanbase, continuously sharing that performing is his favorite part of his job.
The entire set was incredibly engaging, with fans trying to keep up with Vine’s energy as he danced, spun, and ran around the stage. JayO joined Vine on stage for a song, and the two danced together like longtime friends enjoying the moment. While performing “Margot Robbie,” he even had a bit where he would kick his leg in the air and freeze: A fun way to joke around with the entire crowd. Throughout the set he directly spoke to a few different audience members, showcasing a genuine connection with his fans. These interactions were not just typical offhand comments, rather, they felt like real conversations. Both concert-goers and Vine alike displayed a sense of comfort with one another, resulting in a fun, easygoing atmosphere for everyone to enjoy the music.
Although there were so many fun moments throughout the night, the most memorable was definitely when Vine brought his pet onstage, an impressively calm dog that stole the hearts of everyone in the audience. The crowd also really loved his bandmates, especially Lvcky Dave, who plays the trumpet towards the end of “Sour Patch Kids,” and was referred to as “the trumpet guy” by one excited concert-goer.
It is difficult to state if there was a particular song that was favored by the audience, as all of his released music had fans singing every single word. However, the encore of three well-known songs: “Drew Barrymore,” “La La Land,” and “Sour Patch Kids” generated a lot of excitement from the crowd. All three were incredible performances and the perfect way to end a super engaging show.
Overall, Bryce Vine’s performance at the House of Blues was an unforgettable experience. The night was full of great energy, heartfelt moments, and an undeniable connection between the artist and his fans. From the enthusiastic crowd participation to Vine’s infectious stage presence and adoration for his fans, the night felt more like a celebration than just a concert. The show left everyone in attendance buzzing with enthusiasm and eager anticipation for the approaching release of Motel California.