Concert Review: GROUPLOVE in Columbus

Article & photos by Jack Foley

GROUPLOVE and Bully at Kemba Live 3.19.24 // Gallery

Anyone who knows me would agree that I would give anything to be 22 in 2014 instead of 2024. I was much too young to participate in the rich music cultural shift at the time, but I still found myself on Tumblr reblogging the latest deep cuts from some obscure indie band with a name as niche as their sound. My first introduction to GROUPLOVE was through 8Tracks, an app for playlist sharing that was in the back pocket of any American Apparel-wearing angsty adolescent. I became immersed into the world of indie music, which still has a grip on me over a decade later. I lost track of GROUPLOVE for a few years as I finished high school, but would be reminded of their existence from the subwoofers of the nightclub next to my freshman dorm blaring Tongue Tied. I was, yet again, hooked on indie rock. Local record shops with an overstock of records from millennials who sold their college collections were a godsend to complete my GROUPLOVE discography, which played incessantly on my suitcase record player from 2011 while I studied for chemistry and biology midterm exams over a glass of cheap rosé. 

I hold the memories of my early experiences with music close to my heart, and what better time to relive them than GROUPLOVE’s 2024 Rock and Roll You Won’t Save Me tour? The minute my last class of the day let out I walked home, loaded my film in pretentious indie fashion, and got in the long line of avid fans. 

I have gotten into the habit of not listening to opening acts before going to a show, so that I can experience them in their most raw form. Bully did not disappoint, and her rich sound set the stage perfectly for GROUPLOVE. She came on stage and immediately jumped into her set. Her vocal range was impeccable and filled the venue, and her cover of Fade Into You by Mazzy Star was impeccable. 

As the clock struck 9:00 PM, the house lights went down and Come Together began to play in complete darkness. The lights come up and GROUPLOVE’s Christian Zucconi and Hannah Hooper rush on stage and open with I’m With You. Their stage presence was incredible, and you can tell they truly feel the emotion they put into their songs. From the upper level to the front row, there was no shortage of emotions and dancing. Midway through, a family holds up a sign stating that it’s their daughter’s first show. Hooper points them out, and gives a lengthy speech about the importance of music, how important it is to never give up on making art with your friends, and the power of passion, then dedicates the next song to the young fan. The instantly-recognizable intro chords to Tongue Tied ring out and the crowd erupts with cheering. Describing the raw energy I felt during this show would take hundreds, if not thousands of words, so I will sum it up in one word–electric.

GROUPLOVE has been around for the better part of fifteen years now, but they show no signs of stopping, if anything, their performance has only improved with time. Their passion and chemistry is infectious. I will certainly be in attendance at the next show near me, and I cannot wait to see what directions they take next. 

SETLIST:

I’m With You

Borderlines and Aliens

Deleter

Cheese

Malachi

Ways to Go

Back in the 90’s

Love Will Save Your Soul

Itchin’ on a Photograph

Spun

Shark Attack

All

Girl

Standing in the Sun

Tongue Tied 

Song 2 (Blur cover)

Chances

Cream

Welcome to Your Life

Raspberry

Colours