Longitude Saturday: The Head And The Heart

The Head and the Heart is a very fitting headliner for Saturday's set at this little oasis. The Seattle indie-folk band is well known in the States for its wholesome vibe, its soul-lifting harmonies and sweet, nostalgic lyrics centering on change, travel, endurance, and innocent love. The set is truly a purifying experience after a full day of dealing with drunken crowds, long lines, sunburn and aching feet.

The group steps onto a small, darkened stage to adoring applause, before launching into the lovingly gentle "Take A Walk" off of their latest album Signs of Light. Lead singer Jonathan Russell is earnest, tender and impassioned in his delivery, offering, in velvety, clear tones, the soothing advice, 'Take a walk, try to relax. It's not as bad as you think'. And the crowd does relax, swaying respectfully, letting the frustration of the day drift off with the comforting notes, irritation giving way to bliss.

Now eased, necessarily, into a state of calm, the audience is prepared for the band's more lively numbers. Next is "City of Angels," in which we are treated to the group's immense yet perfectly restrained dynamism, Russell's gorgeous falsetto, and some impressive vocals by violinist Charity Rose Theilen.

At the end of the number, several impatient audience members demand "Rivers and Roads," but are temporarily assuaged by a particularly energetic "Rhythm and Blues." Here, Russell is fully in his element, dropping to the ground, strumming his guitar high above his head, leading the crowd in a triumphant chorus of 'oohs,' swinging his hips like Elvis, and generally embodying the rockstar the song's narrator imagines himself to be.

"Lost In My Mind" is the first to be played from the group's first album. The first notes are met by ecstatic screams, which give way to rhythmic clapping. The excitement of the number is overwhelming; Russell sings the harmony throughout the song as the audience carries the melody, while drummer Tyler Williams and guitarist Matt Gervais enjoy a tambourine jam sesh that ends with Williams throwing his tambourine into the air.

The band takes it back with a slower number, the soaring "Down In The Valley." Thielen steals the show with a stunning violin solo, and Russell belts the harmony over the audience's melody yet again. Meanwhile, Williams throws his shaker into the crowd, and one slightly crazed super-fan begs it of the lucky catcher, who kindheartedly passes it on.

Then comes "Shake," another classic, a catchy, percussive song that is again met with cheers and (somewhat) rhythmic clapping. The audience goes wild for the harmonies, while strobe lights contribute to the dizzying excitement of the piece.

At long last, the crowd gets what it asked for. The set closes with the heart-wrenchingly wistful "Rivers and Roads." It's a beautiful song in its own right, but is made so much more so by the multitude of voices emotively and passionately singing along.

Then, when Thielen begins her a cappella solo, the crowd attempts to join in, but is thwarted when she slows it down, riffing the chorus and belting out the last few high notes with just the right amount of rasp. This is an audience that knows the band intimately, and still the crowd is blown away by her vocals, which are showcased far too little on the records.

Walking away from The Head and the Heart's set feels a bit like stepping out of a refreshing, post-workout shower back into the dust and the heat. While getting dirty again is inevitable,the calm delight one gets from rinsing off the grime and clearing one's head does not altogether vanish. Everything is a bit easier to bear, and everything is a bit more beautiful.