REVIEW: Couch with Thumber: Live at Terminal West - ATL
- Joe Chiarella
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
The group embraces improvisation and high-energy elements at their sold-out Atlanta show
On an unseasonably cold night in Atlanta, Couch ignited Terminal West with their sold-out stop on the Big Talk tour. With snow across the Southeast forcing multiple tour delays and local cancellations, the status of this performance remained uncertain until the day of the show, but fans braved the elements and showed up early, snaking around the historic building before doors opened. Thumber warmed up the crowd, delivering catchy songs with danceable grooves that won over the early arrivals.
By the time Couch took the stage, all thoughts of the cold outside were gone. Fronted by vocalist Tema Siegel, the band delivered their signature high-energy fusion of pop and funk to the packed house. While Siegel's powerful vocals might be the first thing you notice when you listen to Couch, they were perfectly matched by the horn harmonies of saxophonist Eric Tarlin and trumpeter Jeffrey Pinsker-Smith. The groove was anchored by Jared Gozinsky’s complex drumming and Will Griffin’s funky bass lines, while Danny Silverston’s vibrant keyboard textures and Zach Blankstein’s rhythmic guitar work rounded out the band’s expansive, soulful sound.
The setlist propelled the audience through a vibrant journey of the band's short but illustrious catalog. The songs from the first LP, Big Talk, released in October, were already popular with the audience, as I heard people singing along with the extremely catchy “On The Wire.” An emotional centerpiece arrived when the band shifted gears, slowing the tempo for their 2022 track “Autumn.” This rendition featured Eli and Virgil from Thumber, whose guest appearances added a lushness that surpassed the original studio arrangement. The band also treated the audience to a cover of Britney Spears' “Toxic,” reimagined as a disco funk banger.
The most striking takeaway was the band's incredible dynamics, improvising in ways that could classify them as a jam band, but always keeping it moving and fresh. Memorable moments punctuated the night: Siegel darting across the stage while belting extended notes, only to transition into a seated, intimate number minutes later. A sense of spontaneity defined the night, from inviting their merch manager, Haley, to showcase her saxophone skills, to passing cameras into the crowd for “Couch Family Photos.” While their studio albums expertly capture their energy, these live renditions offered something more: dynamic tempo shifts and personal anecdotes that made the night truly unique.
Article and photos by Joe Chiarella. Please credit @joe.takes.pictures or @art.seen.atl if reposting on social media.
