The Verve Pipe’s first show ever was in Chicago in 1992. The lead singer recalls that the microphones were shocking them, so they had to put their dirty socks over them to fix it. They’ve come a long way to now be playing at the City Winery, which is a long ways from a dive bar.

Early on in the set, they play “Never Let You Down” from their 2001 album, Underneath. This song jumps right into the joyful chorus:  “I’m trying to keep my feet on the ground / I’m getting to like this feeling I’ve found / I’m getting to love / The thought of having you around / And I will never let you down.” It keeps the high energy going the whole way though and it delights the audience.

Later in the set they play “Colorful”, which is also from Underneath. “I know I can be colorful, I know I can be gray / But I know this loser’s living fortunate / ‘Cause I know you will love me either way.” The lead singer, Brian Vander Ark, vocals truly shine on this one. The joy of singing can still be heard in his voice.

Towards the end of the night, they play “The Freshman” from their 1996 album, Villains. This is their most streamed song on Spotify with over 104 million streams on Spotify. “For the life of me, I cannot remember / What made us think that we were wise, and we’d never compromise / For the life of me, I cannot believe / We’d ever die for these sins, we were merely freshmen.” Everyone sings along to this huge hit that still sounds great today.

Brian describes the one of the last songs, “Found” as their version of a Paul Simon song. This track from their 2021 album, Threads, more specifically sounds like a Simon & Garfunkel song with it’s great vocal harmonies.

Cost of a ticket: $41

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It +

Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Discounted > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

Quinn Delaney