Show Review: Briston Maroney Has People Freakin’ Out at Webster Hall
Briston Maroney by Tyler Krippaehne via Instagram
There are moments in time that just feel different, as if the air has somehow changed. It could be nerves or anticipation, but you look around and know something really special is happening. Sometimes you have no other choice but to physically shake it out. That was the exact feeling on the evening of January 30, as the long line of people filed into Webster Hall.
The energy in the room was electric and Briston Maroney was having one of those moments, shaking the feeling out of his body. It was one that took a few attempts, maybe due to disbelief, to eliminate the chills as he kicked off the first night of back-to-back sold out shows at the venue.
The crowd was open to receive that energy from the start and send it right back to the stage. Especially due to the help of Phoebe Go, who warmed up the crowd with her energy and graciously treated the audience to a performance of her new single, “7 Up.”
Maroney started the show with “Body” and continued to match the vibe of the crowd with each song. It wasn’t just a show, it was a full performance. The sparkling stage design mixed with a tight band and thoughtful transitions made for a fully cohesive set. I truly enjoyed watching every song and all of the moments in between.
It would be a disservice to not mention the names of Maroney’s friends and band members; Zack Lockwood (bass), Devin Badgett (guitar), and Nathan Knox (drums/keys). And of course guitar tech Sean, who Maroney gave a shout out to and who was arguably the biggest fan dancing and singing all night from stage left.
The song “Spring” is the perfect performance to encompass the feeling of this concert; it is light, upbeat, and I almost felt like I was floating on a cloud. Maybe it was the mixture of the stage fog and good vibes from the crowd, or maybe it was just the ability of an artist who knows how to craft the perfect moment.
As a fan you can only hope that when you buy concert tickets that you will hear a good mix of the songs you love. It was a win to hear those older songs performed that you were hoping for along with the newer ones. Sometimes the balance is off, but this setlist felt right.
Two of Maroney’s biggest hits, “Freakin’ Out On the Interstate” and “Caroline,” were welcomed by the crowd with a ferocious thunder of cheers. The floor became a sea of waves as they screamed the lyrics and rocked along with the band.
During “Rose,” Maroney seemed to be in his own world. As he took the guitar solo, the audience continued to shout and applaud his skill, but he was unphased. At that moment, it seemed it was just him and his guitar against the world.
“This one feels so special…thank you for showing up with open hearts.”
Briston Maroney by Tyler Krippaehne via Instagram
The singer-songwriter started the encore alone on the stage and wanted a moment to speak with the crowd. Earlier in the day, he received a note from a fan who expressed that some of his music helped them out during a specific time in their life. Maroney spoke about the importance of waking up every day and keeping the fight going, sharing that he himself did the same thing. It was a beautiful moment of honesty as the room exploded with compassion and love, something that I will remember for a long time.
Maroney went on to play “Delaware” but snuck in a snippet of a Red Hot Chili Peppers song right before he began to lighten the mood, which made the whole room laugh. He joked, “You gotta laugh so you don’t cry.”
One thing remained evident throughout the night, Maroney loves his job and is damn good at it. Whether you look at the moments where he just shreds on guitar or is effortlessly belting out the lyrics, it is undeniable that the 26-year-old was meant to be a star.
As he took a final bow, he accepted a bouquet of flowers from a fan at the barricade and left the stage looking gracious as ever with his bandmates. The end of the set had me questioning who had more fun, the crowd or Maroney?
I made the descent from the balcony listening as the crowd was still buzzing with ‘Ultrapure’ joy and talking about their favorite moments of the night. This infectious energy spilled out onto the busy city streets. As light flurries came down, the concert goers seemed to be unphased, still basking in the glow that is Briston Maroney.
More information about Maroney and tour dates for the Ultrapure World Tour 2023-2024 can be found here.