Each concert, for me, is a unique experience, not just an opportunity to hear the music, but to feel the emotion, and to bond with the fans. When I went to see Wolfmother, I accomplished that, and more. When Wolfmother rolled into the Wonder Ballroom in Portland, OR., for me, it was like being transported to another time.
Wolfmother fans are about as loyal as they come, too. I spoke to a few fans before the show. A father and son had driven all the way from Boise, ID, to see their favorite band. Another fan told me that she quit her job as a cruise ship pastry chef to be at the show since the cruise dates conflicted with the date for the show. Hundreds of fans of all ages were lined up outside the venue hours before the doors opened, all sharing stories about how Wolfmother is one of the most underrated bands of our time.
Touring with Wolfmother are the duo, Lindsey Troy and Julie Edwards, AKA Deap Valley, from Los Angeles, CA. Barefoot, and in matching red, white, and blue body suits, these rockers played a passionate 10-song set.
The Portland crowd was getting agitated during the lengthy set change, but when Wolfmother took the stage, the nearly 800 fans in attendance roared and howled in appreciation, and the party began. Andrew Stockdale, Ian Peres, and band newcomer, Alex Carapetis, came out, and I felt as if I had been transported to a late 60’s gig. These Vikings of vintage rock and roll brought the big hair, big boy pants, and an even bigger sound.
Opening the set with “Victorious” is a pretty awesome move. Most bands typically cater to the die-hard old school fans, playing a tried and tested favorite for their set opener. It’s almost as if Andrew got that memo and said ,”My fans have all got the new album, and they love this song, watch.” Sure enough, he was right. The crowd went insane, singing along and rocking right out with the band.
That freight train of soulful, passionate rock left the station, pushed the throttle all the way up, and plowed through a full 19-song set. Andrew made it look effortless, standing at the mic, shredding that old Gibson SG, and belting out song after song. Ian, on the bass, gyrated and danced around the stage making sweet bass guitar love for the better part of the evening. Ian also played the keyboard; his bass guitar swung around his back throughout the set list. Alex remained poised behind the drums, his long hair framing his huge sunglasses and charismatic grin. I kept thinking to myself that he would run out of steam after 7-8 songs, but his energy level only seemed to rise with each song.
Wolfmother played a two-song encore, wrapping up the evening with “Vagabond”, and “Joker and the Thief”. It was an amazing show, and unfortunately ,one the last few in North America before the band heads overseas for all the Wolfmother fans in Europe. But, no worries, because Wolfmother will be playing a handful of gigs in the U.S. again in May and June.
