One, two, one two three four…
On a warm summer evening, I was strolling through downtown Ann Arbor and made my way to The Ark for the very first time. I was excited to finally see John Gallagher Jr. and Bandits on the Run perform after interviewing them a few weeks earlier. As I entered the Ford Listening Room, I immediately felt a wave of calm in the 400-seat venue.
At 8pm the lights dimmed and all eyes turned to Gallagher, who came on stage with just a guitar and set the tone for an intimate acoustic set. He opened with the title track from his new album Goodbye or something. Gallagher followed with the somber “Back in Berkeley,” a song that seemed to resonate even more in a live setting due to its melancholy, which was enhanced by the quiet, attentive room.
When singing “Chelsea Help Me,” Gallagher made subtle but effective stylistic choices, such as slowing down the tempo and adding soulful modulations, which gave the song a new emotional depth. He introduced the song “Hidden Ring” with enthusiasm, recognizing the irony of his optimistic attitude despite the song’s somber lyrics. This contrast only enhanced the intimacy of the performance, as the audience seemed to lean closer to him, hanging on his every note.
Gallagher’s eyes were closed for most of his performance and he was completely immersed in the music. This, in turn, drew the audience deeper into the shared moment. He switched from playing songs from his new album to several upbeat, unreleased tracks, and humorously noted that he wanted to prove that he writes songs when he’s happy. This light-hearted comment lent a sense of warmth and connection to the set and made the audience feel like they were part of an inside joke.
“Tough Spit” stood out with its comically dark political commentary, touching on topics like democracy and gun violence. The song’s sharp wit contrasted with the gravity of its subject matter, showing Gallagher’s ability to seamlessly blend humor and seriousness. He dedicated “Shining Child” to the Bandits, though it felt more like a love song to his new friend. Regardless, it was clear that the one who inspired the song was incredibly special. Lyrics like “It’s been so long since someone I really liked was this nice. I guess it kind of surprised me” were truly beautiful.
Throughout the performance, Gallagher’s humor and openness were constant. He joked about his age, told stories about life on tour, and built a warm connection with the audience. These moments of levity, coupled with the emotional depth of his music, gave the performance a personal and communal feel. He closed his set with the crowd-requested “Instagram Crush” and the poignant “All The Rest,” which left the audience feeling connected and longing, as if they had shared something profound with the artist and each other.
Courtesy of Jovanna GallegosAfter Gallagher’s performance, the stage was set for Bandits on the Run. They opened with “You Have Changed” and immediately grabbed the audience’s attention; the powerful vocals of multi-instrumentalist Regina Strayhorn, supported by cellist Sydney Shepherd and guitarist Adrian Enscoe, provided a dynamic start to the 90-minute set. This was followed by “Love In The Underground”, a quirky song that captures the magic of chance encounters.
As the set progressed, the band’s performance got better and better, with the second half of their setlist being some of the most memorable moments of the evening. This portion of the show took a musical turn, showcasing not only their musical talent, but their ability to build an emotional connection with the audience and leave a lasting impression. Enscoe led a cover of the Avett Brothers’ “No Hard Feelings,” a song from the upcoming Broadway musical “Swept Away,” in which he and Gallagher will star. Their work with the audience was especially evident during “Lover & His Lass” from their adaptation of “As You Like It,” by splitting the audience into three groups and having each group sing a glockenspiel. Shepherd provided a showstopper when she performed a song from the band’s musical adaptation of “Gilbert Grape.” The audience had no choice but to sit quietly and watch her perform as if she were on stage in front of 1,000 people.
A highlight of the evening was their soulful folk cover of “I Believe In A Thing Called Love,” which was a stark contrast to the original rock version. The band’s reinterpretation of the song demonstrated their creativity and ability to bring a refreshing perspective to familiar tracks. They ended the evening with their friendship anthem “We Battle Giants,” a sweet and heartfelt tribute to their bond, sharing that they wrote the song for one of Shepherd’s birthdays. The warmth and sincerity of this song made it a perfect closer and left the audience feeling both uplifted and connected to the band.
They received a standing ovation and returned for an encore with a reinterpreted Fleetwood Mac mashup. With different chord progressions than in the original songs and the nice addition of an accordion, the encore was a fitting end to a performance full of surprises and creativity.
The band’s humor – they referenced the Spiderman meme and made a joke about a fish with no eyes – captivated and entertained their audience. Their storytelling between songs, particularly about their early days as buskers and other personal anecdotes, created an intimate connection with the audience. Bandits on the Run is truly a band that thrives at live shows. The performance was a testament to their charming camaraderie and joy, with each member shining in their role.
The concert at The Ark was more than just great music; it was an evening of soulful performances, humor, and genuine connection. John Gallagher Jr. and Bandits on the Run delivered an unforgettable performance that wowed everyone. Although I only recently discovered their music, their performance was unforgettable and I can safely say that the impact of both acts on me will last for a long time.
Daily Arts writer Jovanna Gallegos can be reached at [email protected].
