On the evening of March 28th, 2023, indie rock band Colony House took to the stage at the Nile Theater in Mesa, AZ for their Cannonballers Tour 2023. The band is made up of brothers Will and Caleb Chapman, along with Scott Mills and Parke Cottrel. The show was a night to remember, filled with high energy, great music, and unforgettable moments.
The night started with the opening act, Little Image, who left an impression on the audience and to be honest, even myself. I downloaded their EP and listened to it the whole ride home. Little Image's forthcoming album "SELF TITLED" is set to release on May 12th, and it’s not one to miss. The stark contrast between Little Image's music and Colony House's was well-received, providing the audience with a refreshing musical twist.
As Colony House took the stage, the crowd erupted in cheers, and the band did not disappoint. They covered Steve Lacy's "Bad Habit," which was met with great enthusiasm from the audience. Lead vocalist and guitarist Caleb Chapman also took a fan's BeReal on stage and proclaimed, "Looks like it's time to BeReal."
The light display during the show was captivating, with a diverse range of colors and variations used by Colony House. The band's use of a variety of colors kept the audience engaged and interested throughout the performance, as opposed to relying on a single color which can quickly become predictable and dull. I found myself eagerly anticipating the next lighting change, and the visual experience greatly enhanced my overall enjoyment of the show.
Colony House photographed by Lanie Kapsalis
In a touching moment, Caleb paid tribute to the Covenant School schooling and revealed that he knew the headmaster, Katherine Koonce. The crowd listened respectfully as he spoke about her, saying, "She was a beautiful person. She encouraged me and my brother to tell our story. She believed in this band and our music." The Reel Moment's thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.
Throughout the night, Colony House interacted with the audience, bringing fans on stage and speaking up about important issues and causes. In my opinion, these are the best two things that musicians can do on tour. They performed every song with the same energy and enthusiasm, leaving the crowd wanting more. "Looking for Some Light" was a standout performance, and it was a favorite of many.
The band's energy never waned, and towards the end of the show, Will Chapman was shirtless crowd surfing happily, while Caleb Chapman threw his guitar so high that there was concern it would break through the ceiling and reach outer space.
Overall, both Colony House and Little Image are bands to watch this year. The audience left with a feeling of excitement and anticipation for what's to come from these talented artists.
