Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers Bring Their Emotional and Authentic Fall Tour to the Sold Out House of Blues
In March of 2018, Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers uploaded their submission to the NPR Tiny Desk Concert competition. As of recently, their performance of the single “Peach Scone” has been viewed over 16 million times. Hitting over a million views in just a few weeks, it was clear that these twenty something kids from California were on to something. Frank Lopes Jr., known for his stage name Hobo Johnson, and his band are best described as a genre-bending mashup of rap, spoken word, and rock. His newest album is titled The Fall of Hobo Johnson which follows their first album The Rise of Hobo Johnson. Despite the album title, Hobo Johnson’s tour is proof that the band is only continuing to grow.
NATE CURRY
Kicking off the night was the first performer, Nate Curry, a bedroom trap and Sacramento rapper. Not one to take himself too seriously, he was incredibly relatable and absurdly energized for a 15 minute set. Easily capturing the attention of all 3,000 people in attendance, it would be shocking if Nate Curry does not blow up within the next year. Following Nate Curry was The Philharmonik. Refreshingly creative and honest, he is a great example of the new breath that young artists are breathing into R&B and soul. His 2018 album featured a collaboration with Hobo Johnson titled “Mama’s House,” a humble ode to living in your moms house trying to make it as an artist.
MOM JEANS
The final band before Hobo Johnson was supporting act Mom Jeans; an indie rock band from Berkeley, California. Opening with “Death Cup” off their first full length album Best Buds, most fans were just as passionate about Mom Jeans as they were for Hobo Johnson later in the night. Between everyone seeming to know every word to their songs and the crowd starting a mosh pit in the middle of the set; lead singer Eric Butler appeared blown away. This band is incredibly passionate about their music, their fans and what they do and it shows on stage.
At last, Frank and his band came bounding out to a combination of people chanting “Hobo Johnson” and Taylor Swift’s “Love Story.” This grand entrance led directly into “Typical Story” which is an aggressively high energy song about the unfortunate situations of heartbreak or anxiety many of his fans find themselves in. This song sets the tone of the evening, an authentic and honest retelling of the less celebrated or even talked about parts of our lives that still manage to shape who we are.
The first half of the set was a perfectly balanced mix of fan favorites from his first album The Rise of Hobo Johnson and songs from his second album such as Subaru Crosstrek XV and Ode to Justin Bieber. Despite the high energy and questionable but enthusiastic dance moves, Frank was open and honest about how he is not perfect and the things he struggles with both as an artist and as a person.
HOBO JOHNSON
The most special aspect of a Hobo Johnson concert is the connection created with the audience. Despite being an artist that often sings about feeling alone and relationship struggles, there is something incredible about his ability to sit on the edge of the stage and tell a story through his songs that everyone can relate to in some way. 3,000 people yelling the lyric “I’m going to feel alone forever” at the same time creates an almost magical irony.
The second half of the set included his most popular hit Peach Scone which led into a cover of A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton furthering the emotional rollercoaster that is a Hobo Johnson show. Closing the set was just Frank and his guitar with “I Want a Dog.” A song about wanting something so simple but so seemingly unobtainable at times: a house, a wife, and a dog. At first the song feels more suited for the middle of the set with its simple lyrics and guitar. Instead, the song builds into a beautiful crescendo about finding happiness and not quitting until you get what you want out of life backed by the insanely talented band.
Hobo Johnson is bringing something to the table that no other artist is right now. In a genre filled with artificial lyrics and toxic masculinity, Frank brings an authenticity and truth into his music. His shows are made for the audience to feel connected to something bigger and understand that there are so many people who can relate to the struggles he sings about. Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers have over a month left of touring and it is most likely the last chance to see them in an intimate venue as they are only going to continue to grow. More information about tour dates, venues, and tickets can be found at hobojohnson.com/shows
Coverage by Jessica Matilszki
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