Canadian indie-folk band Wild Rivers made The Sylvee feel like a soulful sanctuary, delivering a setlist full of emotional storytelling, punchy banter and crowd-favorite sing-alongs Monday evening.
Before the band stepped on stage, there was a warm mood thanks to opener Anna Graves, who closed her set with her new song “Bluebird.” After recently returning to her family’s farm in rural Minnesota, Graves described her music as personally and professionally refreshed. She charmed the crowd by leading them in a gentle chorus of “Minnesota on my mind,” a heartfelt moment that set the tone for the night ahead.
When Devon Glover (vocals), Khalid Yassein (vocals and guitar) and Andrew Oliver (guitar) of Wild Rivers appeared under soft amber lights, a ripple of cheers greeted them. A few visibly seasoned fans mouthed every word of “Never Better” — a track from their eight-song July album — before the first chorus dropped.
“We’ve been a band for 10 years, since we met in college,” Glover said early on, her smile lit with nostalgia. “And you keep showing up. We don’t take that lightly.”
As the set unfolded, the band spoke to the emotional range of their music. Where earlier songs and albums lean into joy and brightness, the new album “Better Now” reflects a softer, more introspective tone.
“We’re reflecting and understanding that relationships change over time. Complicated situations can be just that, complicated. Feelings can remain unresolved. Our projects make up the full spectrum of who we are,” Devon said.
By the time they rolled into “Bedrock,” the floor was buzzing with movement, and Yassein leaned into the mic with a grin: “I’m feeling fun and flirty tonight.” The band kept the mood light, inviting the crowd into the moment.
A highlight came midway through the set with “Wandering Child,” the band’s first release from their college days. Yassein recalled the era fondly, when Spotify had just launched, and the track landed on a coffee shop playlist, which “felt like the biggest thing in the world,” he said, his voice soft with reflection.
In a stripped-down acoustic moment, the band invited fans into a campfire-style Q&A. When asked about their favorite nearby place to tour, the answer was charmingly unexpected: “Davenport, Iowa,” they laughed, drawing a wave of good-natured groans and applause. Later, the audience got to call the shots — literally. Given the power to choose the next song, fans shouted for “Neon Stars,” and Wild Rivers obliged with an electric rendition.
The night ended on a high with their hit song “Thinking ‘Bout Love,” which has over 173 million Spotify streams since its release in 2020. This was the kind of encore that leaves you suspended for just a second before reality settles in again. As the final notes rang out, the room felt less like a concert and more like a gathering of old friends — if only for the night.
Wild Rivers delivered an experience that was equal parts heart and humor. And if the dozen or so returning fans in the front row are any indication, this won’t be their last Madison rendezvous.
