Graham Colton concert review

The Graham Colton concert at New Earth in Athens last night was reminiscent of a rising college town band trying to make it in the big world. His Tuesday night concert amassed about 20 devoted fans on an otherwise quiet downtown evening. The hit in numbers could be probably be attributed to its timing, as Tuesday trailed Georgia vs. Florida, the university’s biggest party weekend, and Halloween. Nevertheless, Colton gave a strong performance and other than a few comments encouraging the crowd to “act and sound like a group of 400,” he never indicated disappointment. Colton admittedly started the show without a specific set list and mixed up the concert with songs from all three albums. Loyal followers heard some of his classics, including “Cigarette” and “Best Days of Our Lives.” Songs from his new album fall into the similar indie/alternative genre and catch the same audience. Although his voice has clearly matured through the years it remains pure in that it-sounds-like-I’m-serenading-you way. He kept the crowd engaged with questions and conversation between each song, and kept referring to the group as being “one with the band.” For those who have always yearned to witness a great band’s casual jam session, last night was as close as they may ever get.