The best live shows don’t just entertain, they tell a story that engages the audience from start to finish. In their first-ever show in Huntsville, that’s precisely what Lord Huron delivered on Friday night to the crowd at the Orion Amphitheater. 

As the lights dimmed and the stage lit up, the audience was immediately transported to another universe, one where supernatural reigns supreme. Lord Huron didn’t need to use a big and flashy set. Instead, they relied on the small items that had the crowd wondering if what they were seeing was real or part of a dream. At the centerpiece of the set was a payphone that made its presence known early, even before the band walked on stage. Before the band walked on stage, the payphone lit up, with the receiver frozen and floating in midair.

As the band took the stage and played the opening notes of “Who Laughs Last,” the backing screen lit up as Kristen Stewart’s spoken lyrics were showcased through a series of waveforms. As she spoke, Lord Huron lead singer Ben Schneider slowly danced his way to the payphone to answer Stewart. Once he picked up the receiver, Schneider’s face illuminated the screen. While addressing the caller, his on-screen presence reassured the audience that he was speaking directly to them. 

As the show progressed, it was the small elements that continued to drive the story. Early in the concert, the screen changed to show something of a Western background, leaving the crowd wondering: Where are we right now? Then there was a jukebox that illuminated throughout with the tagline “Best in Music.” As the show concluded, it’s hard to argue that Lord Huron isn’t the best storyteller in music. 

Even the opener, August Ponthier, played a role in the story and delivered a beautiful, vulnerable 30-minute set to start the evening. Ponthier, who hails from Texas, made that the theme of their set, even in the wardrobe. Early in the concert, Ponthier addressed the crowd, asking whether anyone knew what they were wearing, before explaining the origins of the homecoming mum. It was a fun way to learn more about the singer, while also letting them showcase their talents. 

Ponthier also made their presence felt during Lord Huron’s set. In 2021, the band and Ponthier recorded the song “I Lied” together. With Ponthier opening on this leg of the tour, there was no doubt that the track would be performed. It more than exceeded expectations, and song-wise was one of the standout moments of the evening. 

It was those subtle little moments that truly brought the story to life. When Schneider finally took a break and addressed the crowd, it felt like he and the band were breaking the fourth wall, but even then, it was done playfully.  

As the singer spoke to the crowd, he mentioned that the band had been on the road for a good while. On Tuesday, Lord Huron announced that they would pick the story back up in December with the “23 Nights at the Broken Bottle” residency tour. To get tickets or to check out tour dates, click here.