Though their name may not register in your direct knowledge, if you’ve been exposed to Top 40 radio or music, there’s a pretty good chance you have heard a Hot Chelle Rae song. Their latest two singles, ‘Tonight, Tonight’ and ‘I Like It Like That’ off of their new album Whatever have hit double platinum and platinum, respectively. They made a stop in Vancouver last night on their “Beautiful Freaks” tour in support of Whatever.
Opening for the band was newcomer Cady Groves, who showed off her big voice, despite her short set. Alongside songs from her latest EP such as ‘This Little Girl’, Groves also did an impressive cover of Adele’s ‘Someone Like You’ – which showed off her vocal abilities quite splendidly.
The last time I saw Hot Chelle Rae live, it was back in September as the opener of The Script’s show in Seattle. Between lead singer Ryan Follese, guitar player Nash Overstreet, bassist Ian Keaggy, and drummer Jamie Follese – I was impressed by the cohesiveness of the band as musicians, as well as the high levels of energy that they had onstage. Both of those aspects were present at the show last night – and Hot Chelle Rae is as consistent as consistency gets.
The band started off their set list with the title track of the tour, ‘Beautiful Freaks’. It was a relatively balanced mixed of songs from their debut and sophomore albums, and even a track called ‘Emo’ which their most dedicated of fans would know from Ryan Follese and Overstreet’s pre-HCR band, Miracle Drug. The set was rounded out by a few cover songs, and a lot of crowd interaction.
Setlist:
– Beautiful Freaks
– Tonight Tonight
– Downtown Girl
– I Like To Dance
– Keep You With Me
– Honestly
– Since U Been Gone (Kelly Clarkson cover)
– The Only One
– Why Don’t You Love Me
– If You’re Wondering If I Want You To (Weezer cover)
– Emo
– Bleed
– I Like It Like That
– Never Have I Ever
– Radio
– Forever Unstopabble
– Whatever
– Tonight Tonight (Reprise)
By the end of the show, one thing was clear – Hot Chelle Rae knows how to put on a fun show, and the crowd soaked in every minute of it.
We had the pleasure of chatting with Nash Overstreet before the show. Keep posted for the interview, his playlist contribution, and a HCR-related contest!
