On a warm October night, a small crowd began to form on High Street. Outside of Newport Hall, a long line of fans waited eagerly to see Brenn! The rising folk-pop sensation is no stranger to Columbus, having played at The Summit Music Hall and A&R Music Bar in previous years, but a venue of this size is one of the many new experiences that the Amateur At Best World Tour brings. The lights dimmed, and the show began.
Ready for Mor?
The opening act of the night was Brenn’s friend and fellow writer, Mor. He took the Newport Hall stage with minimal equipment (only himself and an acoustic guitar), but the performance that followed was anything but small. Mor quickly won over the hearts of the entire crowd. His powerful voice echoed throughout the hall, showcasing an incredible, raspy range. The audience could feel the strong emotions he sang with, and the especially powerful message of the song “Father’s Ending.” Though at points you could tell he was new to performing, the raw talent that he brought to 1722 North High Street was undeniable.
Brenn!’s At Bat
After a brief intermission, Brenn! and his band took the stage and began the night with a quietly beautiful rendition of “LIKE YOU DO NOW.” He quickly got the crowd’s energy up with “HOMERUN.” Those in attendance settled in while bringing the intensity, as Newport Hall became filled with the glorious sound of indie-folk pop and alt-rock for the next hour. The band was stellar and filled every role that was needed. Most of the musicians that played with him played multiple instruments, and the vocal performances from the backup singers were top-notch. The band's set also featured multiple rocking guitar solos that shook the hall.
The Walk-Off: Franklin House
By far the most anticipated song of the night (at least for me) was “Franklin House,” and Brenn! and his bandmates rose to the occasion. The performance was incredibly powerful, as well as emotional. The entire audience belted “I will survive, but I’ll never recover” as the band and the night crescendoed to a conclusion. This was the highlight of the evening, but all good things must come to an end. The audience cheered–and the band walked off.
Extra Innings: 4Runner
But something was missing. “4Runner,” the song that propelled Brenn! into the spotlight and put him on his trajectory, had yet to be played. After a short intermission filled with applause, the band returned to play two more songs, “Too Much” and the long-awaited “4Runner.” It was a spectacular performance that capped off an already amazing night. It’s safe to say that the show was a grand-slam and I, for one, can’t wait to see where Brenn! goes next.