Youngblood Hawke returned to Portland’s historic Crystal Ballroom on Tuesday, January 8th to play an opening set for British veteran act Keane (QRO photos). They had just headlined a show at the Crystal on November 20th (QRO review). Youngblood played the entirety of their four-song EP as well as a number of tracks from their forthcoming album. The audience was primarily there to see Keane and the ticket price probably kept those merely curious about Youngblood Hawke away.
The band really brought a lot of energy to their set and it appeared that many in the audience weren’t prepared for it. And that’s what helped Youngblood Hawke win over this audience. There were quite a few singing along to “Rootless”, but there were moments where the audience was just not familiar 
with the songs. That being said, the band engaged the crowd and that probably gained them some new fans by the end of their set. Their hit single “We Come Running” received the largest response and the band thoroughly enjoyed the recognition. For what seemed like an odd paring for this tour, it appears that Youngblood Hawke rose to the challenge tonight and people will remember them the next time they come through town.
