photo credit: Arielle Gutierrez

fun. has really propelled themselves into the mainstream as of late. Their single “We Are Young” is being played to high hell on radio stations, Chevy commercials and much more. This particular show was book for the Warehouse Live studio, but due to the high demand of tickets, was moved to the Ballroom, which is roughly 4 times the capacity. And even THAT sold out.

Hit the jump for the review.

-grizzly


photo credit: Arielle Gutierrez

Arriving to the venue amidst a set from the opening band, Avalanche City, was a pleasant surprise. These New Zealanders, specifically frontman Dave Baxter (originally a solo project) had a set full of earnest folk pop songs, no different than your Local Natives or Decemberists. The arrangements were a nice touch, and the single “Love Love Love” definitely won the crowd over a bit.

photo credit: Arielle Gutierrez

Now, I’m pretty sure I had the flu. I spent the majority of this evening absolutely miserable, breaking in and out of sweaty fevers, mangled by coughs, sneezes and a runny nose that I couldn’t control. Being at a show in an at-capacity venue was the last thing on my things to do list, but as soon as fun. hit the stage, I stopped bitching and soaked in all the LCD lights, screens and Nate Ruess’ inexplicable talents of being on point for the entire show.

photo credit: Arielle Gutierrez

The last time fun. played in Houston, they performed in a 200-capacity venue headlining over Steel Train. Here they are, headlining Warehouse Live to a sold out crowd who knew all of the words to every song, in just about a year and a half. The bombastic drums (catered to us by Ex-Straylight Run drummer Will Noon) of “One Foot” kicked the evening off, and the energy never faltered. Being that they only have two albums, fun. split their allegiances on the setlist, making sure to highlight both fairly.

photo credit: Arielle Gutierrez

The band kept the good times rolling, performing personal favorites of mine in “At Least I’m Not As Sad” and “Barlights,” while sprinkling in rousing versions of their hit single “We Are Young” (which sounds so much better with live drums, by the way) and the “Some Nights” intro. Hell, even the skiddish “It Gets Better” sounded better live – although I still question the performance of it to begin with.

photo credit: Arielle Gutierrez

The eerieness of hearing more than 1700 people sing a song as heavy in emotion as “All Alright” or “The Gambler” definitely struck a chord with me. Everyone remembers the feeling of not wanting to share your “little secret” bands with the world, but unfortunately, fun. was always destined to be a pop success. After the show, the band tweeted about how it was one of the greatest shows they had ever played. And while generic messages of this nature come and go, there’s something that’s still completely honest about this band and their genuine love for their fans, especially considering that this city sold out the show four times over the initial booking.

Now, will they be playing Verizon the next time they roll through, or are we thinking the Woodlands?

[SETLIST]

One Foot
Walking the Dog
All the Pretty Girls
Why Am I The One
All Alone
It Gets Better
Barlights
Carry On
The Gambler
Some Nights (Intro)
At Least I’m Not as Sad (As I Used to Be)
We Are Young
Some Nights
–
All Alright
Take Your Time (Coming Home)