Charlottesville's most avid folk fans filled the University Chapel Sunday to hear local indie-folk band The Hill and Wood.
The concert kicked off with songwriter Sarah White, a native act whose voice is reminiscent of fellow folk artist Brandi Carlile. Though long, her set was raw, featuring original work, which ranged from passionate love songs to jaunty drinking tunes.
The Hill and Wood followed White’s powerful opening set with a sharp contrast, their first impression on the Chapel audience was slow and quiet — though it was soon followed by what is perhaps their most well-known track, "The First Time".
The set continued with songs from the group's debut self-titled album and the brand-new EP “Opener,” which celebrated its release at the show. The Chapel was soon filled with lead singer Sam Bush’s electric-acoustic guitar, backup singer Juliana Daugherty’s piano and a beautiful harmony. A light bassline and drum beat coasted along in the background of each song, never overpowering the overall tone of the performance.
The sound was similar to that of popular indie/folk band The Head and The Heart. The Chapel's tall ceiling offered strong acoustics, allowing Bush and Daugherty’s voices to fill the entire space.
During the concert, the Chapel was almost fully dark and everyone in the audience was silhouetted — though rest assured every beard and pair of skinny jeans present could be seen, despite the dim lighting. The Hill and Wood themselves were surrounded by simple, bare lightbulbs as the stained glass window behind them shone colorfully.
This concert was unlike many others — its quaint, intimate atmosphere offered a more organic way to soak in the music. At the Chapel, audience members could easily catch The Hill and Wood right in their element.
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