Equal parts barnburner and back-porch confessional, Houndmouth brought their unmistakable blend of alternative blues, rock, and Americana to the storied Bearsville Theater in Woodstock on Tuesday, June 10.

The sold-out crowd packed shoulder-to-shoulder in the beloved wooden music hall, buzzing with excitement and leaving no doubt that this band from New Albany, Indiana, has become something of a cult favorite in the Catskills. Delivering a career-spanning set that was part nostalgia and part evolution, Houndmouth captivated fans with their signature anthems while previewing unreleased material that hinted at exciting directions ahead.

Sold-Out: Houndmouth packed out the Bearsville Theater on Tuesday, 6/10/25.

Kicking of the evening in Bearsville was Elias Hix who swiftly proved why he’s a rising force in roots music. Trained in classical music and steeped in the sounds of rural Americana, Hix blends his background with a striking naturalism, conjuring a sound that’s both refined and emotionally raw. Leading his backing band through a set that felt as intentional as it was instinctive, his music lives at the intersection of folk, alt-country, and indie rock. Familiar yet distinct, carried forward by his rich baritone and a band that knows how to listen as much as they play.

Elias Hix opened the show in Woodstock 6/10/25.

He and his ensemble delivered seamless harmonies that mesmerized the crowd, drawing them into lyrical stories that felt lived-in and unvarnished. But the show wasn’t all comfort and nostalgia. Hix used his platform to touch on darker truths, introducing a song about the alleged son of a powerful politician, a man, Hix claimed, who avoided consequences for domestic abuse due to his family name. It was a sobering moment that cut through the set like a dagger and showed his commitment to using his art for more than entertainment.

Elias Hix and his band were in fine form in Bearsville on 6/10/25.

After a brief intermission, it was finally time for Houndmouth. Led by Matt Myers, the band delivered a career-spanning set that reaffirmed their talent for toe-tapping melodies, poetic storytelling, and a deep connection with their audience. Backed by Caleb Hickman (keys, vocals) and Zac Anderson (bass, vocals), Houndmouth gave an electrifying, two-hour performance that felt simultaneously intimate and epic. Opening with “Darlin’,” “Black Gold,” and “Make It to Midnight,” the band kicked things off with a triple-threat of fan favorites. Within minutes, the Bearsville barn felt like its own self-contained music festival. Packed shoulder to shoulder, the audience strained for better views, wide-eyed and swaying as vibrant lights sliced through a low-hanging fog.

Houndmouth performed to a sold-out crowd in Bearsville 6/10/25.

From the outset, it was clear Houndmouth sounds even better live. Studio-precise harmonies, tight instrumentation, and a fluid, dynamic setlist became elevated by the raw energy of the crowd and the band’s own infectious chemistry. Myers, bearing a striking resemblance to local alt-folk icon Ian Felice, was a magnetic presence. His eyes often closed, voice rich with ache and grit, channeling characters and cautionary tales with a blend of mystery and melancholy. His guitar solos burned with purpose, never indulgent, always rooted in emotion.

Houndmouth’s Matt Myers rips a monster solo in Woodstock 6/10/25.

Working their way through staples like “Hey Rose” and “McKenzie,” the crowd was loving every second of it. Houndmouth has always had a knack for writing earworms. Melodies that lodge themselves in your head and lyrics that echo like a half-remembered dream. But live, these songs breathe differently. They swell and stretch, lean into the silence, and sometimes erupt into communal singalongs that blur the line between band and audience. Stellar renditions of “Palmyra,” “Cool Jam” and “Good For You” were particular standouts, showcasing the band’s masterful control over pacing and tone as they effortlessly transitioned from soaring rock to subdued blues to handclap harmonies.

Bassist Zac Anderson and guitarist Matt Myer belt out one ear worm after another in Bearsville 6/10/25.

Of course, part of Houndmouth’s charm lies in their refusal to polish their image. Dressed in retro, mismatched thrift store finds, with patchy facial hair and intentionally unkempt haircuts, the band exuded an endearing authenticity. It’s never been about how they look, but somehow, they pull it off like folk-rock heartthrobs in disguise. Between songs, Myers joked with the crowd, recalling their last visit to Woodstock, where he marveled at a freshly tapped maple tree at a local radio station and mused about staying forever. Even when lightly heckled or bombarded with song requests, the band handled it all with effortless cool and maturity, reinforcing the sense that nothing could throw them off their stride.

“Goodbye old Kentucky / Don’t fly where you can’t be found / Here’s to all that money you can’t take to the underground”

Equally thrilling was the batch of unreleased songs, which the crowd embraced with immediate approval. Tracks like “Tiger Blood,” and “Southside” hinted at a bold new direction full of hooks, swagger, and a deeper emotional heft. If the rest of their upcoming album is anything like these previews, Houndmouth may be on the verge of their biggest success yet. The band also paid tribute to their influences with a lone cover of Terry Allen’s “Amarillo Highway,” which felt right at home among their own catalog. Then, following a rocking version of “My Cousin Greg,” came the quietest, most vulnerable moment of the night.

“What a night, what a night, what a night, what a night, babe.” – Lyrics from “Good For You”

Myers taking the stage along in the spotlight for solo for renditions of “Jackson,” “For No One,” and a standout version of “Some Paradise” that left the room breathless. From there, the full band reemerged to close with an epic one-two punch of “Comin’ Round Again” and their breakout hit, “Sedona.” With its unforgettable melody and near-mythic storytelling, “Sedona” was the perfect sendoff, and the crowd’s ecstatic response left no question that Houndmouth had just delivered one of the year’s most memorable shows.

Houndmouth recieved a standing ovation for their performance in Bearsville on 6/10/25.

As the lights came up, rather than disappear backstage, the band lingered outside under the stars, swapping road stories, posing for photos, and simply hanging out with fans. Genuine, grounded, and grateful. They had the next day off, and you could tell they planned to savor it. With that kind of accessibility, paired with immense talent and an ever-growing catalog of unforgettable songs, it’s hard not to root for a band like Houndmouth. And if the unreleased songs are any indication, their upcoming album may be the one that finally sends this beloved Indiana band from cult favorites to something far bigger. Based on what we saw in Bearsville, they’re more than ready.

Houndmouth | June 10, 2025 | Bearsville Theater | Woodstock, NY

Setlist: Darlin, Black Gold, Heavy Eyes, Make It To Midnight, Waiting for the Night, Tiger Blood, Hey Rose, Cool Jam, Miracle Mile, Palmyra, McKezie, Southside, Amarillo Highway (For Dave Kicky), Good For You, My Cousin Greg.

Encore: Jackson, For No One, Some Kind of Paradise, Comin’ Round Again, Sedona.