The Head and the Heart
Riverfront Revival
Cleveland, OH
August 05, 2025
By Rob McCune
CLEVELAND — The Head and the Heart’s Cleveland concert at Jacobs Pavilion on August 5, 2025, proved why the band remains one of indie-folk’s most beloved acts. Touring behind their sixth album Aperture, the folk-pop collective transformed the outdoor venue on the Cuyahoga River into a starry, soul-stirring celebration of harmony, heart, and hometown vibes.
The Aperture Tour 2025 stop in Cleveland felt less like a show and more like a family gathering. Fans of all ages—toddlers on shoulders, twenty-something friend packs, and whole families—came together for two-and-a-half hours of music that glowed with warmth and nostalgia.
A Setlist That Blended New Hits and Classics
The Head and the Heart setlist opened with the luminous title track from Aperture, followed by new material like the soaring single “Arrow,” already a radio staple. The band wove these fresh tracks seamlessly into crowd favorites: “Virginia (Wind in the Night),” the irresistible “Honeybee,” and a stripped-down, emotional “Rivers and Roads” that closed a three-song encore.
The effect was cinematic—string lights above the stage swayed as if pulled by the band’s own gravity, while violin and guitar combined into melodies that seemed to rise straight from mountain springs.
Cleveland as “Home Away from Home”
Frontmen Johnathan Russell and Matt Gervais spoke about Cleveland as a “home away from home,” drawing roars of approval from the packed amphitheater. But it was violinist and vocalist Charity Rose Thielen who delivered the knockout moments. Her soulful, almost spiritual leads electrified the crowd into near-revivalist fervor.
Opening Acts Warmed Up the Riverfront Crowd
Before The Head and the Heart, Katie Pruitt in Cleveland set the night in motion with a solo set of country-folk storytelling, singing from her 2020 debut and her latest release, tackling LGBTQ themes with unflinching honesty.
They were followed by Wilderado’s Cleveland performance, which blended indie-folk with alt-rock grit. The Oklahoma band played songs from their self-titled debut and 2024’s Talker, sounding like Wilco if they crashed into Weezer.
Both openers later reappeared on stage to dance along during “Arrow,” underscoring the family-reunion feel of the night.
A Defining Image for Fans
The most unforgettable snapshot of the evening came as the stage lights dimmed: a young fan lifted on shoulders in the front row, fist punching the night sky. That image captured the spirit of the show—The Head and the Heart Cleveland concert 2025 wasn’t just about music. It was about release, renewal, and community.
On a Tuesday night by the river, The Head and the Heart didn’t just play Jacobs Pavilion. They turned it into a revival, a celebration, and a reminder of why live music still matters.
Rob McCune is Every_Thing_After_Photo on Instagram, where he shares his concert photography and reviews, as well as clips from his “Every.Thing.After” podcast, with interviews with musicians and bands.
