Hearts tangled with the microphones, soul and flesh blurring within the lights that resembled full moons, Colony House’s first show of their tour with nostalgic synth-pop band COIN and indie-pop band Flor, was one that will be painted gold in the shelf of my mind.
U Street Music Hall provided an intimate and intense venue for the almost sold-out show, the audience ready to soak in each lyric and each note.
The night was about liberation, freedom of expectations and the opportunity to dwell in the charged and triumphant world of the Nashville trio.
The emotional track “Glorious” had the crowd swaying, the lines “I’m still waiting for the day where I’m more than mistakes,” the weight of the lyrics passing onto the audience, the words tattooing themselves onto their chests. The word “glorious” was now a kissable reality.
The show was almost like a painting. Many tracks featured extended intros, coiled the suspense of the show and splattered hushed colors to the background of the masterpiece.
Drummer Will Chapman’s playful demeanor peeked through the curtains in certain moments, including when he slapped his brother’s butt as he walked back to his drum set. The frontman reacted to it with a “good game,” the audience laughing at the sibling interaction.
Their top single, “Silhouettes,” had couples in the audience twirling; the energy dialed until it reached the night sky. Stomping and clapping ensued towards the end chorus.
“You’re beautiful!” I shouted to Caleb between songs, when the audience was quiet.
“You’re beautiful too,” he immediately said, smiling a bit to himself.
The band played a few new songs, such as “This Beautiful Life,” which Caleb hinted might be the title of the group’s sophomore album.
“I don’t know, stay tuned,” he said to audience members.
“This Beautiful Life” was like honey gliding over one’s wounds, slow and simple, but satisfying. The threads of childhood, mistakes, impatience and shadows were woven throughout the show and will most likely continue onto the band’s next album.
I think one of the most beautiful moments of the performance was near the end of “Moving Forward,” the 11 second bit where only the drums are roaring, punctuating along with Caleb’s singing.
“My eyes are open, my heart is beating, my lungs are full,” Caleb sang, while everyone in the audience had their arms outstretched, light filling the cracks between the damage.
Their set ended with my favorite song “2:20,” the rich, dark and sensual subject matter proved so powerful, it suffocated us all.
The faded “2:20” that I had scribbled on my wrist earlier in the day seemed to glow, as guitarist Scott Millis stepped closer to the audience, losing himself to the siren call of his instrument.
Like the song, “Waiting for My Time to Come,” says, I’ll just have “to be patient now, [and] let the fire burn” until their next appearance in the D.C. area.
For now, I’ll sketch the constellations that they bloomed across my skin onto the walls and give pieces of the late hours to those who want to exist within the timeless presence of a band that made me realize how to breathe again.
Featured Photo Credit: Frontman Caleb Chapman of the band Colony House. (Julia Lerner/Bloc Reporter)
Karla Casique is a sophomore journalism major and can be reached at karlacasique@hotmail.com.
