Unforgettable Night: The Record Company’s Epic Performance

The Record Company | Elevation | March 5, 2026 | Grand Rapids, Michigan

The room lights dim, stage lights pause, and the speakers blast the band’s epic introduction. As the Record Company takes the stage to a thunderous roar, singer Chris Voss steps to the mic. A hush falls as the crowd waits. Just as anticipation peaks, the charismatic Voss screams, “WE’RE THE RECORD COMPANY, AND WE PLAY ROCK AND ROLL!” For the next two hours, they proved it.

Well before the show began, you sensed this would be a special evening—a charged excitement filled the air. Within minutes of the doors opening, fans clad in TRC gear flooded the floor and chatted animatedly. The celebration had already started. And that’s exactly what this tour represents: ten years of the band’s 2016 debut album, Give It Back To You. This was the album that launched the band’s career, earning them a Grammy Award Nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album, and spots in the top 25 on the Heatseekers, Rock, and Alternative charts. It also saw singles “Off the Ground” and “Rita Mae Young” chart, including the #1 spot for the U.S. Adult Alternative Airplay chart. These feats are made all the more impressive given that the album was recorded and mixed by the band out of their LA-area home. The album’s success helped build the band’s loyal fanbase, allowing even newcomers to feel the electricity in the air.

By the time the opening act, Jontavious Willis, appeared, the crowd buzzed with anticipation. Equipped only with a steel resonator guitar, harmonica, and his catalog of tracks, Willis acted as the tour guide on a trip through the deltas of Mississippi, the Piedmont region of the South, and Texas Hill Country. His setlist blended original compositions and iconic blues numbers. One highlight was his performance of “Train Song,” which saw him use a harmonica to coax the imagery of a train rolling down the tracks, while he directed the crowd as the stand-in for the train whistle. His use of humor, combined with his undeniable talent, easily won over the crowd and prepared them for what was to come.

Jontavious Willis performing “Train Song”

After Voss’ minimalist (yet highly effective) intro, the band ripped into “Baby, I’m Broken.” They set the tone early by dialing up the energy (and the volume) to 10. But it wasn’t just loudness—the thumping bass and thunderous drumming had fans moving. The crowd, energized and exuberant, sang and danced as the band hit its stride.

About halfway through the set, Chris introduced a newly released track, “Stay Up High.” According to Voss, the track recently found new life after being cut from Give It Back to You. After a barrage of high-energy songs, the band decided to slow it down with a mini acoustic set.

Voss opened this set by chatting with the crowd, giving his bandmates time to cool down and switch instruments. He reminisced about his Wisconsin roots and connected with the crowd by mentioning that he married a Michigan girl. Introducing the next song, “Talk to Me,” he explained that it was written after being dropped by their record label. Before launching into the track, Voss laughed at the irony that “…they dropped us and then this song went to the top of the charts.” He emphatically ended this introduction by exclaiming, “…so (kiss sound) it.”

“Talk to Me” and “Last Lonely Winter” showcased bassist Alex Stiff’s guitar skills. For this set, he traded his bass for a Fender Acoustasonic guitar. Stiff’s solos on “Talk to Me” and “Last Lonely Winter” made heads in the crowd snap up in awe. His melodic sense and ease of switching instruments showed why fans rave about his musicianship. Even amid his usual tight bass playing, he stood out.

After their brief acoustic break, the band punched it back into high gear. Voss howled, Alex’s bass shook you to your core, and drummer Marc Cazorla was, at times, barely contained. When necessary, he launched himself off his throne, using every bit of his body to smash the cymbals and pound the drum heads. It was pure power wrapped in the blues.

There were moments when I couldn’t help but observantly scan the crowd. Seeing couples sing to each other, or the joy on a family’s face as they experienced the show together, it was clear what this band means to their fans. I believe new fans were born that night as well. At times, I just closed my eyes and took in the sounds around me. Goosebumps plagued me as the sounds of the show took over the room.

The band kicked off the encore with a cover of the Kinks’ “All Day All Night,” prompting a huge crowd response and call-and-response during the chorus. The Record Company closed with a raucous rendition of “I’m Getting Better (And I’m Feeling It Right Now),” a fitting end to the set. The band’s announcement of signing with a new label—with the same person who initially signed them—excited fans about the future. Playing a newer track sparked hopes of a forthcoming studio album and a potential return tour for another night of The Record Company’s rock and roll.

As expected, the night became truly special. The band’s energy poured out, and fans gave it back, fueling the band. This was the kind of show that leaves you buzzing long after it ends. If this tour sums up the band’s first ten years, fans can look forward to the next decade.

Setlist