Night Cap

On the 11th stop of their fall tour supporting the release of their newest album It’s Happening, Night Cap brought their nostalgic and feel good sound to Columbus, Ohio on the rainy night of November 18th. Despite the small crowd that gathered at A&R Music Bar, the band quickly filled the empty space in the room with their captivating talent and warm presence. 

Supporting act Fai Laci started off the night with an energetic performance and showcased their talent right off the bat. “Shot Me Down” and “Five” were highlights of the set and everywhere you looked, band members were jumping around the stage, and showing off their dance moves. The energy was infectious. It took you by your feet and you couldn’t help but start jumping right along with them. Their performance was a perfect example of how important a great opening act is for a show; their contagious energy, incredible music, and talent was undeniable and left the crowd roaring in cheers. 

As the lights dimmed and Night Cap took the stage, the crowd eagerly awaited the first notes of the opening song. The indie rock band was formed in 2017 in Austin, Texas when Ryan King (vocals, guitar) and Alex Alfonso (bass) met at the University of Texas. Jake Bomgaars (vocals, guitar) later joined the band after they saw him play a solo set before their second ever performance, and after that it was history. The band’s chemistry is apparent not only in their collaborative writing process, but with their engaging stage presence and heartfelt music. While they gracefully performed on stage, their passion was unquestionable. 

Starting the set off strong with “Freeway” off their self-titled album, the energetic tune had the fans thrilled for the show to come. Keeping the energy high during the set, they scattered fan favorite tracks throughout the night, such as “Sentimental,” “Say Your Name,” and “Like That.” The prominent drums, enchanting vocals, and catchy rhythms kept the fans holding onto every song and wanting more. 

Nearing the end of the set, light taps on the drums started off the band’s iconic single “Everest” and the fans in the crowd reacted in cheers and arms shot into the air. Groups of friends could be spotted in the crowd holding hands and shouting every word to the song in perfect unison, taking videos of one another to ensure they could hold on to this memory forever.

All night long, the raw talent Night Cap brought to the stage was nothing short of memorable. Vocalists King and Bomgaars sang with emotions on high; their captivating voices filled the room in an instant. Bassist Alex Alfonso moved around the stage with whimsy, and brought together the rhythmic foundation of every song. It was a gorgeous performance from start to finish, and a beautiful illustration of why live music is so special.