Counting Crows and The Gaslight Anthem brought The Complete Sweets tour through Gilford NH, for a night of good music and storying telling.
Fans can always count on more than just music when attending a Counting Crows show. It’s the stories, the emotion, the shared experience, and from the very first note, that energy was already in motion.
Opening the night was The Gaslight Anthem. Hailing from New Jersey, the band has been a force since the early 2000s, debuting with Sink or Swim and most recently releasing History Books in 2023. With their blend of gritty vocals and heartfelt lyrics, they were more than just an opener. They were the perfect setup for what was to come.
Gaslight doesn’t rely on flash. They rely on connection. Their set struck that balance between nostalgia and narrative that mirrors what makes a Counting Crows show so impactful. Songs like “Autumn,” “The Weatherman,” and “Red Violins” felt tailor-made for a summer night under the stars.
The show continued with “Dark Places” and “Mulholland Drive,” while the band’s covers of Tom Petty’s “Honey Bee” and Mother Love Bone’s “Chloe Dancer” were thoughtful nods to the roots they share with the headliners. Every moment felt intentional.
They closed with a crowd-ready trio: “Here’s Looking at You, Kid,” “The ’59 Sound,” and “45,” leaving the audience buzzing and primed for the rest of the night.
The Gaslight Anthem didn’t just warm up the stage. They built the foundation. And when Counting Crows stepped out, the room was already wide open and ready to feel it all.
As Counting Crows took the stage at Bank NH Pavilion, fans rose from their seats, ready to embrace a night of heartfelt music and shared memories. With a career spanning more than 30 years, the band has built a deep connection with their audience, one that turns every show into something more personal than performance, more like a gathering of old friends.
Their sound and storytelling have always felt at home in New England’s vibrant music scene, and this night was no exception. With each song, frontman Adam Duritz guided the crowd through a tapestry of introspection and nostalgia, blending emotional vulnerability with moments of light-hearted charm. It’s a balance that has become the band’s hallmark, offering not just music, but meaning.
They opened the night with “Spaceman in Tulsa,” the upbeat and driving new single off Butter Miracle, The Complete Sweets, released just this past May. It set the tone perfectly, fresh, energetic, and proof that the band is still creating music that resonates.
From there, the setlist began to weave a tapestry of Counting Crows’ discography. The title track from their 2002 album Hard Candy and “St. Robinson in His Cadillac Dream” off 1999’s This Desert Life brought a warm sense of familiarity. “Mr. Jones” took the crowd all the way back to the band’s 1993 debut, August and Everything After, and had everyone singing along at full volume early in the night.
As the night went on, Duritz took time between songs to reflect on how some of them came to life. From the emotionally charged “Anna Begins” to the newer “With Love, From A to Z,” he shared stories of traveling across the country and finding inspiration in unexpected places. “Colorblind” was another standout moment, performed under soft white lights that cast a hush over the entire crowd.
He also gave a heartfelt shoutout to the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, calling it one of their favorite stops—not just for the incredible fans, but for the kind staff and seriously good food, something many touring bands have echoed over the years.
The show rolled on with fan favorite after fan favorite. Their cover of the Grateful Dead’s “Friend of the Devil” was a fun and familiar nod to classic Americana before launching into a powerful, emotionally charged version of “Round Here.” One thing Counting Crows fans know well is that no two performances are ever the same—the band often reworks songs live, changing the delivery and phrasing, which gives each show a fresh and personal feel.
Another great moment came when the piano was rolled to center stage. Duritz sat down to perform a stripped-down and heartfelt cover of Taylor Swift’s “the 1,” followed by the always beloved “A Long December” from Recovering the Satellites. The back-to-back emotional weight of those songs left the crowd visibly moved.
The show’s encore featured the upbeat fan favorite “Hanginaround” and the always-poignant “Holiday in Spain,” a staple that never fails to button up a great Counting Crows show with heart and reflection.
Counting Crows first captured listeners in 1993 with their critically acclaimed debut album, August and Everything After. Since then, they’ve built a lasting legacy, culminating in their latest release, Butter Miracle, The Complete Sweets, which dropped in May 2025. Decades later, the band continues to evolve while staying true to the emotional honesty that has made them a favorite for generations of fans.
Whether it’s your first time seeing them or your tenth, a Counting Crows show reminds you why their music endures, it’s raw, it’s real, and it hits exactly where you need it to.
COUNTING CROWS
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