Whether the stage is bathed in beams of effervescent green or mimicking a moonlit roadside pay phone, The Driver Era knows how to make audience members feel like they’ve stepped into their childhood.
The Driver Era, consisting of brothers Ross and Rocky Lynch, took to the Leader Bank Pavilion June 14 for its 34th concert on its fifth nationwide tour, the “Obsession” tour. Alongside opener VALÉ, the band enchanted Boston with its enjoyable discography and exciting stage presence.
The brothers became involved in music at a very young age. Alongside Rydel Lynch, Riker Lynch and Ellington Ratliff, the group formed a pop band called R5 in 2009. The band produced hit EPs and albums like “Heart Made Up On You” and “Loud.” The group quickly rose to fame alongside Ross Lynch’s notoriety from the Disney Channel show “Austin and Ally.”
However, R5 disbanded in 2018 which inspired Rocky and Ross Lynch to continue pursuing music with The Driver Era. They released their first song, “The Preacher Man” and received high praise from indie rock fans. Soon, the band gained popularity and traction amongst old R5 fans and those just tuning in to the brothers’ musical journey.
Released April 11, “Obsession” features 13 songs with themes of love, heartbreak and remembrance. The wistful, indie rock tunes gradually evolve from feelings of puppy love and homesickness to, as titled, obsessive emotions toward a lover. Songs like “I’d Rather Die” and “Touch” illustrate this effect with their slow, moody bass lines and electric riffs.
Fans and new listeners alike filled pavilion seats around 6 p.m. as they waited in anticipation for the band to start. The chill from the harbor and gloomy clouds did not deter fans from dressing up in home-made merchandise and snapping photos. To celebrate the band, the Leader Bank Pavilion shined pink lights, mimicking the “Obsession” album art.
“I became a fan when I was six years old in 2011, when ‘Austin & Ally’ came out,” said Becca Bertera, a rising third-year environmental science major at Endicott College. “I’ve grown up with them [The Driver Era] and I’ve loved them for 14 years now. I’m not gonna stop anytime soon.”
VALÉ, a Latin pop artist, vivaciously opened the concert with Latino pop, rock music and enchanting ballads. She was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, which heavily inspired her musical style. VALÉ easily mixed Spanish lyrics into hypnotizing beats.
“Even though I don’t know Spanish, the vibe she gives off is amazing,” Bertera said. “My favorite song is ‘fit mami,’ so we were having a party up at the barricade.”
Draping a Colombian flag over her shoulders, VALÉ taught the audience her Spanish lyrics as she initiated chants and encouraged dancing. She floated across the stage, jamming with a four-member band as they played the drums, electric guitars and bass.
Her versatile discography and stage presence left the crowd buzzing with anticipation. The feeling only grew as a long white curtain draped over the stage and the smooth bass line of “Touch” echoed. Silhouettes of the band flashed through the curtain as fans roared to the lyrics.
Their cheers only grew louder as the curtain disappeared, revealing the whole Driver Era band as it transitioned into singing “Better.” Ross Lynch jumped across the stage, interacting with his brother, drummer, keyboardist and fellow instrumentalists.
The stage was decorated like a roadside pay phone, complete with a telephone and green bench. A huge screen worked as the backdrop of the stage, constantly changing scenes in order to fit the energy and meaning behind each song. The lighting dipped from green to yellow to blue — emitting a soft, flashing glow. A wide LED screen created intricate scenes for each song, such as a backdrop glitching blue screen for “Natural.”
The backdrop acted as a second, hidden stage where Ross Lynch escaped to throughout the performance. He continued to sing while the screen immersed him into the scene, often a checkerboard or a windowscape that created a fantastical visual effect.
During the performance, audience members hoisted pink American flags featuring Ross Lynch and handmade signs into the air. When Ross Lynch spotted the signs, he honored the crowd’s request and played “On My Own” and “Cruisin’ for a Bruisin’,” two songs from the Disney channel original “Teen Beach Movie,” as the crowd screamed to the lyrics in delight.
“My favorite part of the concert was the ‘Teen Beach Movie’ songs,” said Lauren Tracy, a rising sophomore at Pembroke High School. “I was shocked. It was such a pleasant surprise.”
The Driver Era ended its main set with an electric guitar-heavy version and checkerboard backdrop of “I’d Rather Die” and encored with “Rumors,” “Get Off My Phone” and “A Kiss.”
The Lynches touched Gen Z’s nostalgia — not through classic pop tunes from Disney, but through their meaningful lyrics and visuals during their performance. The crowd felt right at home in the atmosphere created by the band’s songs and stage presence.
“I’ve loved Ross Lynch since I was about 7 years old. R5 was my first concert and now it’s a full circle moment,” said Jess Marino, a rising senior at Dexter Southfield High School. “It just shows that he’s still doing his old songs, but he’s also growing up and showing his new music as well, which I really love.”
