Originally published in The Buzzworthy last semester.

My brother Adam and I trekked up western New York on Oct. 27 in the pre-Sandy downpour to see Grouplove at Rochester’s Water Street Music Hall. I spent $53 on the tickets and about $40 for the gas to get us there (Adam still owes me money). But, Grouplove made it worth every penny.

The speakers blasted rap music and Grouplove took the stage. Vocalist/keyboardist Hannah Hooper wore a skeleton costume with a checkered bathrobe. Percussionist Ryan Rabin wore long john underwear (my brother got a kick out of that) and a tank top. They cared more about the music than their clothing.

Grouplove opened with “Itchin’ On A Photograph.” The crowd clapped along as vocalist/guitarist Christian Zucconi belted out the lyrics with his almost Rush-esque voice. Their music is challenging vocally, but Zucconi’s voice never faltered. He reached every single high note with no problem.

They proceeded to put on the best show I have ever seen. Hooper, still dressed as a skeleton, bounced around the stage in a flurry of ceaseless energy. She harmonized Zucconi beautifully, providing a perfect complement. And just when you thought you’d figured out their system, they handed the microphone off to lead guitarist Andrew Wessen, who picked up a ukulele and added a third set of vocals to “Spun” or bassist Sean Gadd, who started singing “Chloe.”

For “Slow,” Rabin came out from behind his drumset and stood in front of it, mallet in hand and a bass drum on the floor next to him (this was when we first glimpsed his long johns). He pounded along as Hooper put everything she had into the lyrics.

After Hooper finished singing, Rabin went on a rhythmic craze, accompanied by a phenomenal light show. Next thing I knew, the music had ceased and Grouplove vacated the stage.

The crowd cheered maniacally and they returned several minutes later to play their most popular song, “Tongue Tied,” followed by “Colours,” the first song I had ever heard by them.

Before the night’s end, Zucconi came out with an acoustic guitar and asked the crowd to be silent. They played “Cruel And Beautiful World” acoustically, without microphones or any specific lighting. “We don’t do this very often,” Zucconi said.

Grouplove didn’t just regurgitate their music; they put on a real show. And the best part of that night? You could tell they were having fun, too. (Performance = five stars/five