I’m Not Loving It

Indie rock trio ‘Loving’ overshadowed by opener in an anticlimactic triple-

feature at the Crystal Ballroom

Review By Jonah Nidorf

Published 4/29/2022

It was a rainy Thursday evening; Davis Square was silent other than the occasional
gleeful hoot coming from a destitute group of men sitting outside the red line T stop. The Crystal
Ballroom is a small concert venue in Davis Square. “Doors at 7:30, music at 8:00!” read a damp
paper sign hanging on the open door.
I had high hopes when I walked into the unassuming event space. Lively dancing, high quality
music, and an engaging spectacle were on my mind.
Loving is relatively new to the music world. Their 2016 self-titled debut album took the indie
scene by storm. The group gained critical praise, being compared to the likes of the Beach
Fossils and TV Girl. Now, they are on tour for their second studio album "If I Am Only My
Thoughts."
On their North American journey, Loving brought along Sipper to open at their performances.
Sipper, like the main act, hasn't been around for very long. Their alternative-pop discography
dates to 2019, whereas their popularity had only just caught on as recently as 2021.
Loving has agreed to take on a second opening act for their Boston show. The third act was
selected through a lottery in which only local bands could apply. Out of the hat came Winkler, a
little-known Boston-based rock group with no commercial experience to date. The young
fivesome is popular only amongst local college students who frequent word-of-mouth house
shows.
Upon entering an undecorated hallway, I did not know if I was at a ballroom or a doctor’s office.
Past the uncomfortably empty passage, was an uncomfortably empty dance hall, populated by no
more than 40 concert-goers.
At 8:00, the ballroom quietly buzzed in anticipation.
Winkler stormed the stage, opening the night with a warm, upbeat bassline that drew the sparse
crowd to the front. “It wouldn’t be a crystal ballroom without a waltz” exclaimed lead singer-
guitarist-keyboardist Justin Schaefers. The crowd cheered and broke into an uncoordinated two-
step.
Sarah Kim of the Sound of Boston says that Winkler “exudes a sunny warmth.” Kim describes
their music as “sonically breezy and lighthearted.” She points out the “playful dynamic between
the bandmates,” which was evident during the show.
The two vocalists harmonized enthusiastically. The drums stood out without overpowering the
bassist’s plucking. Each member was given their moment to shine in an electrifying one-by-one
solo sequence. The band’s music could only be described as joyous.
The young group’s physical chemistry glowed. For the entirety of their energetic set, Winkler
remained in control of the jovial crowd. Schaefers and his crew moved around the cramped stage
with ease. Multiple instrument changes and even an outfit swap kept me on my toes all the way
up to their final song.
Sipper steps up next as the crowd buzzed on the tail end of Winkler’s charismatic performance.
Sipper was accompanied by a pair of pants-less, merch bearing mannequins. My hopes were set
high after Winkler’s endlessly entertaining enactment.
Sadly, my feelings came to a crashing end upon the first notes played by the second act. There
was no emotion in Sipper’s music. The vocals were monotonic and the guitar-work boring. Any
efforts made by Winkler to warm up the crowd floundered in the face of Sipper’s uninspiring
showing.
While visually stimulating, Sipper’s presence lacked personality. The musicians, other than the
drummer, seemed distracted, melancholic, or otherwise unenthused.
From a waltz to still feet, the Crystal Ballroom lulled ahead of the main event. At last, Loving
entered center stage, each member assumed their position under the scarlet lights.
A soothing ballad begins, serenading the crowd with gloomy vibrations and calming vocals. The
trio’s distinct sound feels more like folk than rock. Their signature tone is defined by David
Parry’s gentle acoustic guitar, and Lucas Henderson’s laid-back singing voice.
A review on WKNC radio describes Loving’s music as “giving off the impression of a lazy
Sunday.” Their passionate music works perfectly well in a quiet home environment. However, it
isn’t cut out for lively concert venues.
Loving’s stage presence is relaxed to a fault. In the entirety of the forty-five-minute headline
performance, no effort was made to introduce the band members, call out the name of a song, or
interact with the crowd in any meaningful way. Loving’s three members and two backups sat
completely still as they played melody after melody.
In a similar concert headlined by The Marias at the Paradise Rock Club, chill music did not
detract from a good time. Each band member was given time to show off their solo skills. The
Latin indie pop band also took time between songs to interact with the crowd.
At the Rock Club, the audience danced and sang along throughout the headliner’s set. The
Crystal Ballroom felt awkward and quiet in comparison.
Loving’s emotionally poignant beats were demeaned by their lack of chemistry. The night came
to an ultimately disappointing end. Loving quietly thanked the audience and filed off-stage.
Perhaps if they were not preceded by Winkler’s powerful gig, the two following acts might have
seemed appropriate for the night. Perhaps the nascent music groups will improve over time as
they continue to tour. Perhaps the members of Loving had a bad day, leading to their low energy
display. Perhaps Winkler are just naturally better performers than their counterparts.
No matter the reason, Loving let down their audience at the Crystal Ballroom.

2.5 stars out of 5 – Decent music, disappointing experience.

Works Cited
Sarah Kim. “Premiere: ‘Mona’ by Winkler.” Sound of Boston - Boston Music Blog, 21 Mar.

2022, https://soundofboston.com/premiere-mona-by-winkler/.

C, Ralph. New Music Alert: Loving, WKNC, 27 Feb. 2021, https://wknc.org/2021/02/27/new-

music-alert-loving/.