Hot Water Music @ Corona Theatre - 29 & 30 January 2020

When a band announces a multi-night residency in a city, you can usually be sure of 1 of 2 things:

The band is playing a hometown show.
The city is a giant one, like Los Angeles or New York.

It’s a truly refreshing change, then, that Gainesville’s Hot Water Music have been performing 2-night residencies across the globe for the past year or so, in cities with which they have no apparent affiliations, simply in celebration of 25 years together as a band. Each night features one of their records in its entirety; either 1999’s No Division or 2002’s Caution. When speaking to our friends at Bad Feeling, bassist Jason Black explained the rationale for choosing those 2 records in particular: “we literally just threw up a total off-the-cuff Twitter poll, like, “What records would you want to see us play?” And those were the two that won.” Sounds a good enough reason for me!

And so, Montreal gets No Division on night 1. Founding member Chris Wollard remains at home in a state of recuperation, so The Flatliners’ Chris Cresswell continues to fill in, but besides that, the band is exactly as it was 25 years ago. As the band barrel into Southeast First to open the show, its clear than frontman Chuck Ragans voice is exactly as it was 25 years ago too; rough, gravelly… and absolutely unmistakeable. Free Radio Gainesville and Rooftops sound enormous, with Chuck, Chris, and Jason all providing vocals on the thunderous choruses. As the band hurtle through that record, it somehow sounds slicker live than in its recorded form, but still manages to retain its raw feel. Driving Home sees the stage lit dim red in a bona fide stadium anthem moment before In Song closes out the record in frantic fashion.

After paying tribute to Chris Wollard, and subsequently crediting Chris Cresswell as the reason that these shows are even possible, both Chuck and Chris run through a moving acoustic rendition of State Of Grace. Drag My Body starts in a similar manner before Jason and drummer George Rebelo return to the stage to ignite the song. The rest of the set provides a selection of cuts from the rest of their impressive discography. A Flight And A Crash is every bit as ferocious as ever, while Never Going Back sets off a massive clap-along from all assembled. Remedy and Trusty Chords from the Caution record sees the pit bounce around furiously too, which bodes well for Night 2 when that entire record gets an airing! As the set wraps up after 70 minutes, Chuck proclaims: “we hope to see you for another 25 years!” Absolutely – actually, you’ll be seeing me again tomorrow pal!

Setlist – Night 1

Southeast First
Free Radio Gainesville
Our Own Way
It’s Hard To Know
At The End Of A Gun
No Division
Jet Set Ready
Rooftops
Hit And Miss
Driving Home
In Song
State Of Grace
Drag My Body
The End Of The Line
God Deciding
A Flight And A Crash
Never Going Back
Vultures
Remedy
Trusty Chords
Turnstile

As I drive into the city for Night 2, I’m excited to do this all over again, this time with the Caution record, my personal favourite of Hot Water Music’s catalogue. It seems like I’m not alone in my love for this record; upon arriving at Theatre Corona, the place is notably busier than last night. The security guys on the door estimate another 100 or 200 in attendance compared to yesterday, and it seems to make a difference to the atmosphere too; as the show opens with the colossal Remedy, it sounds, and feels, even better than it did last night. So does Trusty Chords, which comes right after. I Was On A Mountain draws another huge singalong when the chorus breaks down, as Chuck backs off the mic to let the crowd drown him out. Alright For Now and Wayfarer are other standout moments, the latter sounding every bit as anthemic live as it does on the Caution record, with Chuck, Chris, and Jason bellowing the “woah-oh woah-oh woah-oh” refrain in perfect harmony with the now-rabid crowd.

The rest of the set follows a similar pattern to last night, with Chuck and Chris going acoustic again, first for a stirring Old Rules, and then deviating from the planned setlist to run through State Of Grace too; perhaps they are enjoying themselves a little more tonight too?! Choked And Separated, Rebellion Story and the anthemic blast Mainline come soon after, before the band close out the 75-minute set with It’s Hard To Know, from the No Division record, wrapping up the residency with a sense of symmetry, ending it as they started it! A truly epic two nights from Hot Water Music; here’s to the next 25 years!