Colony House brings the audience into the story at the 9:30 Club
- carsydog0
- Oct 12
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 28
On October 11, Colony House returned to "one of the greatest places in the world" as part of their 77 Tour.
That place, of course, being the 9:30 Club, where the band brought a show that blended quiet reflection with their signature high-energy rock anthems.
Caleb and Will Chapman, Scott Mills, Parke Cottrell—and lately, Andrew Smith—have spent more than a decade turning songs about love, loss, and everyday life into a catalog that’s steady and thoughtful, capable of rocking hard while also making space for intimacy.
Opening the night was Happy Landing, a folk-rock band whose sound sits somewhere between The Lumineers and Edward Sharpe. The group’s instrumental work, especially Andrew Gardner on fiddle and mandolin, added a warmth and depth that drew the audience in immediately. They debuted their brand new single, “Machines,” and teased that they'll be bringing their own headlining show to D.C. in April.
Colony House's set opened with the title track from their latest record, 77, a song that serves as a thesis statement for the band's latest project, and state of mind. The album takes its name from a number rich with meaning for the band, symbolizing forgiveness, spiritually, and reassurance. Onstage, a glowing “77” served as both backdrop and a nod to the band's mantra: you’re right where you need to be.
Colony House’s dynamic range was on full display. Songs like “Highwire” and “Would Ya Could Ya” carried the room, while “Silhouettes” and “You & I” reminded longtime fans why they fell for the band in the first place. Few moments captured the band’s knack for intimacy like “El Capitan.” Midway through the song, Chapman turned the mic to the crowd, asking everyone to sing to someone they love, whether they were in the room or not. Ladies were up first, before turning to the men in the room: “Fellas, I don’t expect perfection, just passion,” Chapman quipped.
Later, during “Moving Forward,” Chapman left the stage completely. He walked to the back of the venue, guitar in hand, surrounded by fans, and sang in the warm glow of the house lights. It was quietly powerful, a reminder that genuine connection often carries more weight than any production trick.
Minutes later, the band was back in full force for “Cannonballers” and “OK OK OK OK,” the night’s closer. Chapman even made his way back into the crowd for one last lively chorus of "You Know It," leaving the room buzzingly satisfied.
And honestly, who needs an encore after that?
