“Quiet Loud” is an approach few musical act can successfully execute. The Joy Formidable deliver the business using this model and melted many faces in the process. The trio played to a healthy sized crowd Wednesday night trouncing the intimate Bluebird Theater stage in the process. Lead vocalist Ritzy Bryan noodled through her set in such a way that appeared as effortless as possible whilst producing maximum riffage. Bryan’s effect pedals were abundant but not used as a crutch like other guitarists masking their lackluster abilities.

Fans that hung in there for the encore were treated to a special über intimate take on what was a first time experience in my years of attending shows. Ritzy and and bassist Rhydian Dafydd took their respective acoustic guitars and nestled in the middle of the intimate venue amongst the crowd. The two exchanged vocals with Dafydd keeping up on rhythm in what proved to be one of the most memorable experiences I have ever witnessed. Shoutout to the Bluebird crowd for behaving themselves during the impromptu treat. Fans were disappointed that the obnoxiously large gong onstage was used for only one song during the long(ish) set.

The Welsh act is currently supporting their third LP released earlier this year with their broody album, “Hitch.”