Seventeen years into their storied career, The Head and the Heart are still doing what they do best: bringing generations together with sing-alongs that make a room feel connected.
On May 10, the folksy sextet took over the intimate Brooklyn Paramount and revisited their 2011 debut album, “The Head and the Heart,” which they played in full.
From the first notes of the spine-tingling bop “Cats and Dogs,” it was clear this wasn’t going to be a sit-back-and-watch kind of night. Frontman Matt Gervais didn’t stay on stage for long. Just a few notes into the night, he was already in the crowd, emphatically pulling fans into the show.
While the record is unimpeachable, what really stood out during the show wasn’t just the music- it was how much the band let people in. Between songs, they passed the mic and each member shared pieces of the group’s history. They explained how they met, how the band came together, and what those early songs meant at the time. They even opened up about going to therapy together as a band, leaning into the reality that being as close as family comes with both highs and lows.
Some of the evening’s best moments came through those stories. Pianist/vocalist Kenny Hensley talked about their early days in Seattle, getting lost one night on a long walk home after being out, which ended up inspiring “Down in the Valley.” Then there was drummer Tyler Williams’ tale where he lost his phone his car at a gas station, assuming it was gone for good, until a stranger found it and called the band’s vocalist-violinist Charity Rose Thielen. They arranged to meet right by Sub Pop Records. He handed the guy $20, thought nothing of the exchange… and six months later, the band was signed there.
Chills.
During the emotional anthem “Lost in My Mind,” they brought out openers The Brudi Brothers for a loose, full-band jam that felt more like a living room session than a polished set piece. Later, the band took a seat—literally—gathering on a couch on stage for the gorgeous, acoustic “Winter Song.” Stripped back and sitting side by side, it ended up being one of the most intimate moments of the night.
On the way in, fans were handed slips of paper reading “Brooklyn light up,” a cue to hold their phone flashlights up during the melancholy yet uplifting “Heaven Go Easy on Me.” And they did, filling the room with a sea of blue light that felt completely in sync with the magical moment.
That was just the half of it, too.
After a brief intermission, THatH kept the energy going with a standout duet between Matt Gervais and Charity Rose Thielen on the stirring, mysterious “Grace,” an unreleased track from 2011, followed by back-to-back favorites like the thumping crowd-pleaser “Honeybee” and transfixing pop-rock epic “All We Ever Knew.” By the end of the night, Gervais was back in the crowd again—taking selfies, high-fiving fans, and jumping into the slinky, electro “Missed Connection” with them.
They ended the night with the fist-pumping, feel-good “Glory of Music,” which hit differently this time around. The band even reflected on the tune claiming songs don’t stay fixed, they evolve as you do. What once meant one thing now carries something new, shaped by everything that’s happened in between.
And that’s what the night felt like: not just revisiting where they started, but showing how those songs have grown alongside them—and everyone in the room.
Their live shows really do hit you in the Head and the Heart.
Next up, The Head and the Heart return to the Tri-state for shows at:
East Freehold Showgrounds
Freehold, NJ
Friday, June 26
Capitol Theatre
Port Chester, NY
Saturday, July 25
Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards
Lafayette, NY
Friday, July 31
Borderland Festival
East Aurora, NY
Sept. 18-20
A complete North American calendar including all tour dates, venues and links to buy tickets can be found below.
In addition to the nationwide tour, The head and the Heart are also headlining a trio of festivals.
To make sure you’re in the loop, here’s what you need to know about each of them, including fellow headliners.
| The Head and the Heart 2026 festival appearances |
|---|
| Zootown Festival June 19-20 at the Missoula County Fairgrounds in Missoula, MT The Lumineers, The Chicks, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Trampled By Turtles |
| Borderland Music and Arts Festival Sept. 18-20 at the Knox Farm State Park in East Aurora, NY Jack Whites, Alabama Shakes, Lord Huron, Pixies, Jesse Welles |
| Oceans Calling Sept. 25-27 at the Ocean City Inlet in Ocean City, MD Gwen Stefani, Dave Matthews Band, Mumford and Sons, Matchbox Twenty, Hootie and the Blowfish |
On May 10, The Head and the Heart played 21 songs at Brooklyn Paramount. According to Set List FM, these are the tracks they took to the stage.
“The Head and the Heart” album
01.) “Cats and Dogs”
02.) “Coeur d’Alene”
03.) “Ghosts”
04.) “Down in the Valley”
05.) “Rivers and Roads”
06.) “Honey Come Home”
07.) “Lost in My Mind” (with The Brudi Brothers)
08.) “Winter Song”
09.) “Sounds Like Hallelujah”
10.) “Heaven Go Easy on Me”
Set II
11.) “Grace”
12.) “Finally Free”
13.) “Aperture”
14.) “All We Ever Knew”
15.) “Fire Escape”
16.) “Arrow”
17.) “Another Story”
18.) “Honeybee”
19.) “Missed Connection”
20.) “Shake”
Encore
21.) “Glory of Music”
After releasing their sixth studio album “Aperture” in 2025, The Head and the Heart followed that up with a seven-track EP featuring entirely new arrangements and acoustic reinventions of favorite tracks.
According to Verve Records, “these tracks were approached with an emphasis on intimacy in the recordings, a closer focus on vocal harmonies, and delicate production.”
We were particularly smitten with the warm, campfire-like “Time With My Sins – Ghost No. 1,” gorgeously-arranged, wispy “Blue Embers – Ghost No. 5” and romantic Aperture – Ghost No. 6,” which was made for first dances at weddings.
To hear for yourself, you can find “Ghosts In The Machinery” here.
When they aren’t opening for Brandi Carlile or headlining festivals, The head and the Heart will be joined by an opening act at all shows. To make sure you’re familiar with their work, here’s each artists’s most-streamed song on Spotify.
Wilderado: “Surefire”
Brudi Brothers: “No More Cowboy Than You (Demo)”
Michael Marcagi: “Scared To Start”
Evan Honer: “Jersey Giant”
Houndmouth: “Sedona”
Quite a few of our favorite singer-songwriters are bringing their powerhouse pipes to the people this year.
Here are just five stars you won’t want to miss live when they come to your city.
Who else is out and about? Take a look at our list of all the biggest artists on tour in 2026 to find the show for you.
This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
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