Gallery: Guster Kicks Off Three-Night Acoustic Weekend in Providence

Uptown Theater Presents: Guster May 1st in Providence, Rhode Island

Words and Photos by: Chantel Malin | @chantelmalin

Alternative rock band Guster packed out the Uptown Theater in Providence, RI, for a three-night weekend acoustic run, celebrating their music across over three decades of music in a curated experience for fans old a new alike.

With different openers for each night, piano man Ben Thornewill took the stage for Friday night's opening show. Best known for his work with the indie pop band Jukebox the Ghost, Thornewill has developed a deeply personal and confessional lyrical style to complement his virtuosic mastery of the piano. Thornewill played music from his solo catalog, many of which is currently in the processes of being tracked for a forthcoming sophomore album to follow up 2021's "Quiet at the End of the Day."

Guster then took the stage to power through a whopping 21-song setlist to pay tribute to their nine records' worth of music. The band's fanbase is known for being incredibly devoted, so it's no shocker that attendees were singing along to every single word, no matter how deep or obscure the cut. All set inside of a uniquely beautiful room, the energy remained perfectly balanced between joyful enthusiasm and quiet reverence for the music that brought them all together.

Having met at Tufts University in 1991 and lifelong friends ever since, bandmates Ryan Miller (guitar, vocals), Adam Gardner (guitar, vocals), Brian Rosenworcel (percussion), and Luke Reynolds (guitars, keys) have developed a rapport on stage that is so very easy to see. with multi-instrumentalist Dave Butler to round things out, the five are so deeply in tune with each other and the music they've created over the years. A Guster show truly is more than a celebration of just music; it's a testament to the binding power of music, and the relationships it can foster that transcends any perceived boundaries.

In an extra special treat, the band were joined on stage by a violinist and cellist for a few songs throughout the night, putting a new spin on fan favorites like "Satellite," "Do You Love Me," "Two Points for Honestly," and more. Just the start of a packed weekend to come, Guster kept the energy up throughout the entire night, leaving fans lucky enough to attend multiple shows already raring for the next night by the end of the show.

Check out the full gallery of Guster below!