The only thing better than a live set by The Maine? Two live sets. And that’s exactly what they brought to the stage in Cincinnati, OH, where they played both an acoustic and full-band section. It was the best of both worlds, and needless to say, they blew us away with both.
The Cincinnati show kicked off an eight-show run of The Tour Next Door, which means that, as the opening night of this leg, anything could happen. But before The Maine could even begin to wow us, alt-pop band In Color set the scene.
In Color
From the opening notes of ‘Jet Lag Mouth,’ In Color proved that they knew exactly how to get the crowd ready for the night they were about to have. With their dark lighting that often made them look like they were lurking in the shadows, they were equally moody and high-energy.
The mysterious, at times haunting presence captured the mood of songs like their recent single ‘Marionette.’ And with songs like their breakout hit ‘Headlights,’ they grabbed the entire crowd’s attention and refused to let it go until the end of their set. Even though they’re a newer band, dedicated fans in the crowd sang every word. And we’re willing to bet their passionate performance earned them a few new fans. Regardless, by the time their set drew to a close, the crowd was sufficiently hyped for The Maine. As if they weren’t already.
The Maine: Quiet
Of the two sets, quiet came first. However, it was anything but dull. As the band took their stools and opened with an acoustic version of ‘Bad Behavior,’ fans were mesmerized. The hushed set was like the calm before the storm. But it was also a moment for fans to reflect on how far they’ve come. Featuring songs like ‘Into Your Arms’ from their debut album, some fans were no doubt reliving the moment they discovered their favorite band- some nearly twenty years ago. Others may just be starting their journey with The Maine. Either way, it’s impossible to ignore their growth since they first put out Can’t Stop Won’t Stop.
The acoustic set was also a chance for the band to connect with their audience without the bells and whistles that accompany a typical show. In the calm, they talked to a fan that attended their first show in the area at the Mad Hatter Club in 2010. They pointed out a fan’s The Maine t-shirt that had traveled decades to be at the show. Somehow, they effortlessly made a 2,500 capacity venue feel startlingly intimate.
The Maine: Loud
After a brief intermission, it was time to dance around like crazy. Opening with ‘Half A Spark,’ they reminded everyone that they’re only getting better. Yes, it’s fun and often therapeutic to sing along to their early tunes. But it was also clear in their performance how proud they are of their most recent album Joy Next Door.
In fact, the set was sprinkled with a bit of everything. And each song seemed to spark the same immediate excitement. No matter what album it was from, every song was someone in the crowd’s favorite. And that shows the power of The Maine.
Despite the energy, they didn’t lose the personal connection they’d established with the crowd. They danced around the stage, seeming like they were having as much fun as we were. They made faces at the crowd, even jumping into it at one point to sing with a fan. By the time they closed with ‘Black Butterflies and Déjà Vu,’ they had proven that while they’ve cemented their legacy as class acts in the music industry, it’s for from over for The Maine.
Check out our gallery from the show below!
Image Source: Caitlyn Tarney for The Honey POP
Whether you’re crowd-surfing or quietly swaying on the side, there’s a place for you at The Maine’s The Tour Next Door. And lucky for you, there are a few shows left! Check out where they’re heading and get your ticket here.
And then, find us at @thehoneypop on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to talk all things The Maine, or any pop culture subject that’s on your mind.
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