Portugal. The Man Concert Review: Boston Feels It Still

Portugal. The Man had so many heartfelt moments during their career-spanning performance at Roadrunner on Feb. 22. Although one of the best came before the music even began, when guitarist Eric Howk came onto the stage to appreciate the band’s nostalgic return to Massachusetts.

“I know not many of you love the idea of being on Mass Pike, but for me I’m like, ‘Fuck yeah, I’m back man,’” Howk said, referring to the 138-mile turnpike that stretches from the New York state line to Boston. “The core of everything we do is travel.”

Indeed, Portugal. The Man found their start in 2004 when childhood friends Zach Carothers and John Gourley left their rural hometown of Wasilla, Alaska with just their minivan, a rice cooker, and a dream to tour. After nine studio albums, their vibrant Boston set with current members Kyle O'Quin, Zoe Manville, and Jason Sechrist put the trials and triumphs of the past two decades on full display.

Highlights from the show included new takes on their older tracks, “Creep in a T-Shirt,” “Mr. Lonely,” and “The Sun.” Manville’s tambourine floated above the strong instrumentals, supported by Gourley’s sturdy guitar lines. The band also played tunes from their most recent album, “Chris Black Changed My Life,” dedicated to a dear friend who passed away in 2019. Their newer songs were equally engaging and filled with the same high-energy guitar and vocals. The stage mirrored Manville’s psychedelic, suave voice with kaleidoscopes of color and cartoons. The Portland-based band delivered a truly sentimental performance for their older fans with anecdotes from their earliest tours to Boston.

Childhood friends Zach Carothers and John Gourley (pictured) left their rural hometown of Wasilla, Alaska with a dream to tour. By Courtesy of Gwendolyn M. Ibarra

“The first time I played Boston was at a little spot in Allston 22 years ago,” Howk said. “From the very beginning of this band being this band, I know that Boston has been absolutely one of the most important places in the world. And we love you for it.”

The room exploded in roars when the band struck up the first notes of their funk-filled, “People Say,” which they recorded in Boston. Their sound blossomed when members of the opening act, SNACKTIME, joined onstage. Sam Gellerstein on sousaphone brought the energy along with bandmate Yesseh Furaha-Ali, who Gellerstein described as “Boston’s second son leading in song, dance, funk, and friendship.”

Trombonist Michael Spearman of SNACKTIME led the two bands’s mesmerizing, soulful descent in the moody “Mr. Lonely.” The track’s dark themes and dread-filled lyrics, “‘Welcome to Hell’ / Make yourself at home, but leave behind free will” were perfectly captured in the glowing red and orange stage. Spearman jumped into the song at full force with an inferno of growls that evoked the song’s downward spiral and helped create depth amidst static vocals from Carothers and Manville.

Of course, the night would not have been complete without Portugal. The Man’s Grammy-winning anthem: “Feel It Still.” The opening of the song was met with roars from the packed crowd in Roadrunner. The song began with a groovy, drawn-out intro with bite-sized riffs from Gourley that teased the crowd into the song. Manville’s tambourine catapulted the group into the chorus for a high paced, distinctly full rendition of their hit. The combined efforts from Portugal. The Man and SNACKTIME featured a call and response between Gourley, Howk, and Furaha-Ali that was sublime.

The combined efforts from Portugal. The Man and SNACKTIME featured a call and response between Gourley, Howk, and Furaha-Ali that was sublime. By Courtesy of Gwendolyn M. Ibarra

Portugal. The Man has created a wide range of music with varying moods, but their commitment to touring remains. The energy onstage between musicians was incredible to witness, rivaled only by their engagement with the crowd.

—Staff writer Gwendolyn M. Ibarra can be reached at gwendolyn.ibarra@thecrimson.com.