BYWATER CALL / RIGOMETRICS – LIVE AT HIGHER GROUND
By Crystal Valerie
Higher Ground’s Showcase Lounge got a special visit from Toronto-based Bywater Call and Rigometrics, a Portland-based group, for a night of rock, intimate ballads, and togetherness. The Saturday, April 5, show marked the end of a tour for Bywater Call, who will hit the road again in May, and the start of a series of shows for Rigometrics through the end of May.
Bywater Call has toured extensively across Europe, earning praise from Dutch, German, and UK media. The seven-piece ensemble consists of Meghan Parnell (Vocals), Dave Barnes (Guitar), Bruce McCarthy (Drums), Mike Meusel (Bass), John Kervin (Keys Extraordinaire), Stephen Dyte (Trumpet), and Julian Nalli (Tenor Saxophone). The band draws on influences from the Tedeschi Trucks Band—which I picked up on through Parnell’s powerful belt—along with greats including Otis Redding, Sly and the Family Stone, and The Band.
With three albums available on your favorite streaming service, Bywater Call offers a rich variety of sounds, with each song telling an honest story—including a proclamation of love for their tour bus, which makes sense when you spend as much time in one as musicians do. Each member of the group brings a unique spin to the genre, staying true to their influences while pouring themselves into every performance.
Starting the night off with high energy and funky tunes, Rigometrics delighted the crowd with a melodic intro before launching into “Share the Fortune”. The song was followed by the spirited, bluesy “Endless Road”. Members of the crowd, young and old, danced and swayed to the gifted keyboard and vocals from Keenan Hendricks, steady drums from Derek Haney, and energetic guitar from Josef Berger, who shredded intricately on “Celebrate the Darkness”, my personal favorite.
The three-piece band hails from Maine and formed in 2021. They’ve already put in the hours, hitting as many venues as possible to establish their fan base. Judging from the crowd’s reaction to their infectious songs—including “All My Friends (Live for the Weekend)”, “Scared of Moving”, and “No Smoke”—they’re off to a strong start. Hendricks hits the high notes, calling to mind the great Geddy Lee of Rush, all while making it look easy.
Berger delivers hot guitar riffs reminiscent of legends like Jimi Hendrix and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Allen Collins, having rocked instrumental versions of “Hey Joe” and “{Free Bird” on their Live in Maine album (2023). The capable rhythms from Haney on drums prove the band is versatile enough to switch from upbeat dance tunes to slower, soulful songs.
If this group keeps up their momentum, they’re sure to delight many more crowds with their catchy songs and ability to draw the audience in for more intimate moments. They’re currently on tour, so be sure to get them on your calendar. You can also give them a listen wherever you stream music, but make sure you turn it up!
Following a brief intermission, Bywater Call took the stage to enthusiastic cheers and whistles from the crowd. The band wasted no time before launching into “Sweet Maria”, the crowd immediately responding by swaying and bopping to the beat. After the opening tune, they kept the energy high with “Arizona” and “Sign of Peace”.
The heartfelt, bluesy “Colours” followed, showcasing the full spectrum of Parnell’s voice—from soaring belts to rich low notes—each one blending seamlessly with the mellow guitar and drums. “Left Behind”, from their second album, gave the crowd another reason to get up and move before the band amped up the energy with a cover of Stephen Stills’ classic, “Love the One You’re With”. “Clutter” and “Sunshine” followed, highlighting more of the band’s talent with solos woven throughout the set and plenty of fun, playful interaction between band members.
After a rousing rendition of “Holler”, followed by an impressively handled cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir”, the band delivered a powerful finale with “Everybody Knows”. As they exited the stage, the crowd erupted into cheers, prompting the band to return for an encore of “Feelin’ Alright”. The grateful audience savored every last note, with some fans heading straight to the merch table for a chance at some face time with the band.
This seven-piece group is about to embark on a thirteen-date tour, revisiting favorite spots and hoping to discover new ones along the way. While Vermont isn’t on the list this time, I hope they return—and I encourage anyone who can catch them on their May 2025 tour to make it a priority.
To learn more about Bywater Call, check out their Website
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