Country music is not exactly Boston’s calling card, but you wouldn’t have known it inside The Sinclair on Friday night. Chaparelle packed the Cambridge venue with a crowd that showed up ready to sway, stomp, and sing along. It was an impressive showing for a band that released its debut album, Western Pleasure, only six months ago.
Before the headliner took the stage, Ian O’Neil and Dennis Ryan of Deer Tick opened the night with a stripped down guitar and drums performance. They mixed a few Deer Tick favorites with originals from their respective catalogs, easing the crowd in as the room continued to fill.
Chaparelle, the trio of Zella Day, Jesse Woods, and Beau Bedford, brought a sound that feels wildly out of step with mainstream country in the best possible way. Their music is rooted in Texas swing and classic country tradition. It feels closer to the golden-era of the genre than anything in today’s pop-country, mainstream lane. There are flashes of pop and modern sound here and there, but the foundation is pure, old-soul country. That throwback approach has given Chaparelle a distinct identity, and it clearly resonated with the Boston crowd.
The set leaned heavily on Western Pleasure, which has quickly become their calling card, but the band also came armed with surprises. Their country-twist cover of Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” was an unexpected highlight, turning a pop anthem into a twangy, dance hall moment without losing its spirit. They also performed their brand new single, “When It Snows in Texas,” released earlier that same day. The Sierra Ferrell co-write landed well with the audience, showing the band’s momentum from their debut album wasn’t a mistake, and is nowhere near slowing.
Chaparelle closed with not one, but two encores. First came a slow-burn version of “Sex & Rage,” with Zella and Jesse singing inches from each other under deep red lights. Then the energy snapped back as they ended the night with “Shakin’ All Over,” a spirited 1960 Johnny Kidd cover that sent the crowd out into the night smiling and breathless.
Chaparelle may be a young band, but they already feel sure of who they are and what they want to bring to the genre. If they can pack a room in a city that barely claims country music, it is only a matter of time before they are filling even bigger ones in places that do.
