When I learned that Theo Kandel (B.A. ‘19) was opening for Briscoe at 3rd & Lindsley on Feb. 20, I was thrilled. My favorite concerts are always the ones at the coziest, most intimate venues — by far the best ways to truly interact with up-and-coming artists.
For Kandel, the concert acted as a homecoming of sorts. Kandel graduated from Vanderbilt in 2019, showcasing his musical talent on campus as a member of the Melodores. He expressed his love for Music City and reminisced on his experiences playing at other local venues like The End when he was a Vanderbilt student.
“I forgot how much people in Nashville love the song, and singing songs to a crowd that is clearly listening to the lyrics and appreciating them is such a joy,” Kandel shared.
Kandel opened his set with “Flight to JFK,” appealing to Nashvillians by saying their airport is far superior to New York City’s and joking with longtime residents about the awful old carpet BNA used to have. After covering Richard Thompson’s “1952 Vincent Black Lightning,” Kandel filled the room with tunes from his debut album, “Eating & Drinking & Being in Love.” He explained the meaning of one such song, “Nothing New,” before jumping into its nostalgic guitar introduction.
“I think you only get so many first times in your life, but if you find the right person, none of that matters,” Kandel said.
My personal favorite song from all of Kandel’s discography is “The Painters,” an upbeat tune that envisions a carefree future filled with optimism and romance. It was the perfect song to close Kandel’s set and bring the crowd’s energy up in preparation for headliner Briscoe.
When Briscoe took the stage, they immediately commanded the crowd’s attention, despite all the lively chatter during the break between the two sets. From the very first bars of their set, they showcased masterful musicianship. Lead singers Truett Heintzelman and Philip Lupton opened their performance solely instrumentally, with Heintzelman on guitar and Lupton on saxophone. Supported by drummer Andrew Read, bassist and vocalist Eric Loop and keyboardist Matt Musso, Briscoe created a captivating beat that reverberated throughout the venue, making it impossible to not bob my head along.
Despite their very distinctive voices, Heintzelman and Lupton seemed like a match made in heaven as far as harmonies go. Heintzelman’s lower, gentler voice perfectly complemented Lupton’s higher, rawer one, creating a unique sound that took me right back to the Texas landscape they grew up in. In fact, the set mostly featured songs from their debut album, “West Of It All,” an Americana folk-rock collection that follows themes of young love and hometown pride. Two of my favorites were “Sparrows,” a twangy yet soft ballad about a relationship coming to an end, and “Tell Me,” a lively piece during which Lupton simultaneously played banjo and harmonica while Read doubled on drums and melodica.
One of the best parts of the concert was getting to watch the audience’s reactions to the band’s performance. The crowd spanned age and gender demographics, with some tables occupied by older adults and some by teenage couples. Though many people raised their hands when Heintzelman asked if it was their first time seeing Briscoe live (myself included), it soon became clear to me how easily Briscoe was able to steal Nashville’s hearts with catchy melodies, contagious enthusiasm and complex rhythms. Many audience members clapped along to the beat, swayed in their seats and grinned from ear to ear as the band members switched between instruments.
Even though the crowd seemed encapsulated by Briscoe’s entire set, the closing song was clearly a fan favorite. When Heintzelman announced they only had time for one more song, I heard a girl in the crowd tell her friend how much she wanted it to be “Hooped Earrings.” Briscoe did not disappoint; much to that fan’s delight, the sounds of Lupton’s roaring saxophone and Loop’s resounding bass spilled into every corner of the room.
Listening to Kandel and Briscoe share their exceptional musicality with Nashville was an excellent way to spend my Thursday night. Judging by the mile-long line to meet the artists after the concert, the 3rd & Lindsley crowd would probably agree.
