Watchhouse • Branson Anderson • July 19, 2024 • Gallivan Center
Reviewed and Photographed by Austin Dayton
This weekend, on July 19th, Americana/Folk Duo Watchhouse made their way into Salt Lake City, Utah to headline the third weekend of the 37th Annual Twilight concert series. The Chapel Hill, North Carolina-based couple, comprised of Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz, found themselves surrounded by high-rise apartments and office buildings as they took the stage at the downtown-based Gallivan Center. They would go on to deliver a soul-filled set of American and folk-based music that was interwoven with the influence of bluegrass, indie, and hints of alt-rock. We’ve had the opportunity to cover Watchhouse multiple times over the years. This performance was right up there with all the rest.
Branson Anderson
Watchhouse, previously known as Mandolin Orange, was preceded by opener Branson Anderson. Drawing on influences of the likes of Jonny Cash and Bob Dylan, the folk-rock singer grabbed the attention of a chattering crowd. Hailing from Nevada but spending much time in the Utah area, Branson jested that it was great to be playing for a home crowd, and the cheers and claps signaled in response that they were just as happy to have him playing as he was.
Watchhouse
Soon after Branson’s set, with pink wispy clouds dotting the sky, the crowd greeted Watchhouse to the stage with cheers and hollers. Without a word, the Duo immediately started their set. Beginning with the song “Beautiful Flowers,” Emily’s soul-filled voice washed across the amphitheater. In near-perfect harmony Andrew, with his eyes closed, joined his wife, both singing with hints of joy and undertones of sadness. This pattern continued into their next two songs as they sang pure emotion into existence with “Belly of the Beast” and “New Star,” all three of which came from their self-titled 2021 Album “Watchhouse.” Though unusual to have a self-titled album as their sixth record release, the band had recently updated their name to Watchhouse and wanted to memorialize the growth and change.
Though the Duo had experienced a name change, it was clear that the quality and skill displayed in their voices, the playing of their instruments, and overall songwriting had remained as alluring and engaging as ever. Many audience members continually found themselves dancing and swaying with loved ones, as the artists plucked their banjo and guitar, as well as many a heart string. It should be noted the effects of introspection and somberness that Watchhouse so often induces have found their way into the mainstream, as a keen listener may note that they might recognize much of their music from critically acclaimed TV series such as “Yellowstone,” the place I first experienced the Duo.
At near full capacity, the audience brought more energy and love than the singers thought would be possible on the usually warm Utah evening. The occasional breeze brought some temporary relief to the seven-month-pregnant Emily. With a baby due just a few short months away and another child at home, the couple reflected on the hardships of touring and the music industry in general and the effects it had on their family and their mental health. This line of reflection had been especially impactful for Andrew, who explained with some somberness that combined, these hardships had built up some anxiety that had led him to write, “Shaped,” a new, unleased song that spoke of the pains and uncertainty that come with being a human in a continually less human world.
As the night began to cool off, the Husband and Wife settled into their grove as they delivered a masterclass in folk instrumentals. Lamenting that they had a “bad habit” of composing too many instrumentals, Andrew went on to explain that the song next to be played was unrecorded and unnamed. For the time being, they called it the “G Medley.” Though simply just instruments, the Duo weaved emotions of passion, joy, and pain into their guitar strums and banjo plucks, soliciting one of the biggest and longest cheers of the night from the audience at its conclusion.
Though the Duo sprinkled in their more popular songs such as “Old Ties and Companions,” which is approaching 80 million streams worldwide, overall, they dove into their discography to share lesser-known music such as “Better Way,” “Echo,” and “Lonesome Whistle,” with their Salt Lake City fans. I suspect many in that crowd only knew Watchhouse from their more popular songs, the audience showed, with their cheers and dancing, that they would be leaving with new favorites.
As their show slowly waned towards its finish, the audience was treated to a near-perfect cover and performance of Gregory Alan Isakov’s “Amsterdam.” Fitting so perfectly with their entire set, their banjo-filled rendition seemed to secure the song as their own. As the cover came to an end so did their set. Both Andrew and Emily took some time to thank the Utah crowd and expressed abundant joy and thanks for the love that they had continually experienced every time they came to the state. With a promise of a return the next time they toured, they left the stage.
Sounds of cheers, claps, and whistles accompanied them as they disappeared, and as one could expect, those cheers, claps, and whistles did not stop. The cheers lasted several minutes and then amplified even further as the Duo returned to the stage for a well-warranted encore. Gifting the Audience with one last song, “Golden Embers,” was reciprocated with the same passion and love that the audience had gifted them the entire evening.
If one had shown up to the Twilight concert series on July 19, 2024, expecting to have a wildly exciting and entertaining experience they would have most likely been met with disappointment. What seems to be so beautiful about Watchhouse and the music they create is the shared experience they build with their mellow folk rhythms. Throughout the entire evening, themes of loss, sadness, triumph, and perseverance echoed off the city buildings surrounding the Gallivan Center. You could have easily concluded that everyone would have left that evening with a melancholy cloud hovering over their heads but that didn’t seem to be the case as the crowd shuffled onto Main Street. Instead, a sense of understanding and community that so often accompanies Folk music was written on the faces of each who was lucky enough to spend a summer Friday evening with the ever talent Duo that is Watchhouse.