Relient K - Photo credit: Mosie Hillis

The Show

The Athenaeum Theatre in Columbus, Ohio buzzed with energy and excitement as Relient K, known for their rare performances these days, was set to take the stage later that night. (Also, see my coverage of Relient K in 2023 at Furnace Fest.)

Expected to open the night was another band of Ohio natives, Motherfolk. Instead, Relient K frontman Matt Thiessen introduced a first opener, Nashville-based indie-pop duo Sawyer, as a surprise addition to the lineup. He expressed his excitement for the audience to see them perform. He also mentioned his recent collaboration with them before leaving the duo to begin their set.

Sawyer

While Sawyer usually performs with a full band, they chose a stripped-down, acoustic approach this time. As a concert-goer, photographer, and writer, I’ve seen many acoustic acts open shows. However, Sawyer’s ability to attract a crowd, even as a surprise addition without existing fans present, was one of the most memorable moments I’ve witnessed.

Kel Taylor and Emma Harvey engaged the audience with jokes and stories about their songs. During their performance of ‘Emotional Girls’, Taylor involved the crowd by teaching them the title lyric. When the crowd didn’t quite deliver initially, she humorously graded them a C, which even got the security guards singing along. I had only listened to Sawyer a few times before the show but left as a fan, with their music on repeat since. For the latest news and tour dates, visit www.thebandsawyer.com.

Motherfolk

Next on stage was Motherfolk, an Indie-Rock group from the Midwest formed by college friends as a writing project. With a laid-back ’70s rock and roll vibe, Motherfolk entertained the crowd from start to finish of their set. Their performance was packed with upbeat music, concluding with their biggest hit, “Kill The Sun”. They left the stage amidst roaring cheers, having successfully pumped up the crowd for Relient K. For the latest band news and tour updates, check out: http://motherfolk.squarespace.com/.

Relient K

As their intro music blared through the speakers, the members of Relient K stood backstage with bassist Luke Daniel Preston and drummer Jack Ivins, getting hyped up for their set in the stiflingly hot old masonic temple. They ran out onto the stage to a deafeningly loud sold-out crowd, kicking off with “Chap Stick, Chapped Lips, and Things Like Chemistry”, a classic from their 2003 album. They continued with songs that have been staples in their festival sets over the past year. Matt Thiessen and Hoopes then performed a special stripped-down subset of songs, just the two of them. Though they didn’t play one of their few Ohio songs (“Mrs. Hippopotamuses”), they did cover “Hang On Sloopy” by The McCoys and “Ohio” by Damien Jurado.

Another highlight was their performance of two favorite songs of the evening: “Curl Up and Die” and “Over It”. Neither of of these songs I had ever seen live in my nearly twenty years of attending their shows. The group’s more down-tempo songs have always held a special place in my heart. Seeing both performed live was surreal.

Conclusion

Having spent many years attending Relient K shows, I can say they never disappoint. Their headlining performance in Columbus on Saturday night was no exception. With Relient K’s clever lyrics and infectious energy on stage, each concert is a special and unforgettable experience. To stay updated on the band’s latest news and catch their next show, visit: https://www.relientk.com.

Photo credit: Mosie Hillis