Whether they’re opening for a Grammy Award-winning act like Coldplay or a well-established pop-punk band like New Found Glory, Eisley always shines at winning over a crowd, despite diversity in fan base between them and the headlining act.
Tuesday, Sept. 25 was no different, as the Texas indie-pop quintet, consisting of four siblings and their cousin showed what this family affair was all about when they opened for Mute Math at the legendary Fillmore in San Francisco.
Playing the venue for the third time in their career, Eisley came dressed up for the event, as singer/guitarist Sherri Dupree walked on stage with a necktie to match her striped long-sleeve shirt and her sister; singer/keyboardist Stacy wore a black vest to compliment her white buttoned-up shirt. Along with Sherri and Stacy, the rest of the band, which includes guitarist Chauntelle, drummer Weston, and their cousin Garron, played a magnificent 55-minute opening set.
Despite Stacy being sick, according to Sherri, who claimed to also be a little under the weather, both girls sang on key and delivered their dreamy, image-filled lyrics flawlessly.
Kicking off the show with a wonderful rendition of Many Funerals, the opening track off their latest release, Combinations, the band seemed comfortable on stage, despite not seeing as much movement as headliners Mute Math, which Sherri also commented on, sarcastically giving the audience a warning that the show might get a little bloody.
The girls proved just how well they can harmonize, as they serenaded the crowd with Memories, a somber track off their 2005 debut album, Room Noises. The song, which follows the story of a widow mourning the death of her dear husband, was enough to send chills down the audience’s spine, not only because of the lyrical content, but also because of how beautiful it sounds live.
While the majority of songs performed were from Combinations, the songs off Room Noises were what the audience was most familiar with, including Marvelous Things, infectious pop-rock tunes such as My Lovely, Golly Sandra and of course, the fan-but-not-band-favorite, Telescope Eyes.
Among the eight songs they played off Combinations, was the toe-tapping, country-inspired track, Ten Cent Blues. A Sight to Behold, also off Combinations is a heavy guitar-driven song that shows the tightness of the band as a whole. Garnering many cheers from the audience was Chauntelle’s only major vocal contribution to the band with I Could Be There for You. And ending their incredible 13-song set was Invasion, their current single.
Sherri, the most vocal of the band, kept the show alive with her wit and sarcasm, making small talk with the crowd and her band mates. “Whose guitar do you like better?” she asked jokingly about the new Epiphone guitars that she and Chauntelle played.
Later on that night, the three Dupree sisters were spotted in the audience watching the headliners Mute Math, who stunned the crowd with a spectacular show.
Although most of the people in attendance were there for Mute Math, judging from the audience’s reactions, there is no doubt that Eisley is more than capable to headline this concert themselves.