Live at the Hanover, Guster performs trademark sound

Guster is a band that I associate very closely with my time here at Assumption College. I was introduced to the band my freshmen year, and have been a devoted fan ever since. That is why I could think of no better place to see Guster perform than right here in Worcester at The Hanover Theatre. Since the mid-90's, Guster has been a staple of the musical culture of the Northeast, especially Massachusetts. Formed in Boston, the band attracts a wide range of listeners, but is a particular favorite of college students. Some might recall Guster's performance right here as Assumption's spring concert a few years ago.

To categorize and define the sound and style of Guster is a challenging task. The band mixes unique and varying styles with creative vocal harmonies to generate their signature and distinct sound. Think of Ben Folds, meets Dispatch, meets The Shins. Musically, Guster features a diverse range of instrumentation, including guitar, drums, bongos, piano, banjo, horns and synthesizers. Because of this variety, no two Guster songs will ever sound that same. Another noteworthy aspect of the band is the duel vocalists. Ever since their debut album, Adam Gardner and Ryan Miller have been showcasing their ability to write unique harmonies and counter melodies which characterize Guster's trademark sound.

Wednesday night's performance was excellent from start to finish. The show opened with a local Massachusetts band called Golden Bloom. They sounded like your average indie band, featuring a mix of electric and acoustic guitars with the occasional synth. What stood out was the lead guitarist's soloing abilities. I was pleasantly surprised by the loud and aggressive solos which contrasted nicely with the calm acoustic rhythms. Overall, the lead singer won me over with his good sense of humor and his numerous references to Back to the Future. "Let's play something that really cooks!"

As good as the opener was, when Guster took the stage, the energy of the theater became electrified. Guster started the show with "The Captain," and then went right into "Ramona," two crowd favorites. Next came "Two Points for Honesty," a song which is rarely played live. A funny moment occurred when a ukulele was lowered from the rafters and settled magically into Ryan's hands before the song "Come Downstairs and Say Hello." Guster also provided the audience with a special glimpse at two new songs off their yet to be released album. Other highlights of the set list included "Satellite," "Happier," "Demons," "Manifest Destiny," and "Careful." Throughout the entire performance, the music from on stage was complimented by the sound of the audience singing along to each tune. I was also impressed by the lighting of the show. It might seem like a superficial gloss, but good lighting can really make a difference for the audience's experience.


In between songs, the band spoke fondly of Worcester, recollecting all the colleges they have visited. To my surprise, the very first school they affectionately mentioned was "Assumption Junction." The crowd responded passionately as each Worcester school was recognized. Worcester was fortunate enough to be chosen as the starting point for their spring tour, and clearly the band has a strong connection to the city. Wednesday night marked Guster's return to the stage after a five month hiatus, during which they have been busily working on their new album.

By far the most memorable moment of the show came towards the end when Guster played an amusing version of Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight." What made this cover priceless was that it was sung by drummer Brian Rosenworcel, who may quite possibly be tone-deaf. With a serious deadpan expression, Brian sang his heart out, while band members Ryan and Adam were at his side, laughing along with the audience. The anticipation increased and the crowd went wild as Brian made his way back to the drum set to play the song's famous dramatic drum fill. The song choice displayed Guster's loveable and relatable sense of humor which gives the band such a strong connection to its audience.

The show also featured a very intimate moment in which Guster played an acoustic version of "Jesus on the Radio." The song was played completely unplugged, using no guitar amplification or microphones. The Hanover Theatre was brought to a dead silence in order to hear the song. The song proved that Guster had complete control over the pulse of the audience. Minutes earlier, the crowd had been an eruption of joy and energy, and now you could hear a pin drop. This moment proved that in music, silence can be just as effective as intensity.

Overall, I had a great time seeing Guster. Surrounded by my close friends, I was reminded of why I started listening to Guster in the first place. Great music is meant to be shared and enjoyed with other people. Music is the easiest to communicate with others, and for two hours on a Wednesday night, everyone in The Hanover Theatre was connected. After finally seeing Guster live, it is clear that the band cares not only about entertaining, but primarily seeks to connect with the audience through their music and personality.