“We missed you!” someone in the crowd yelled out as Minus the Bear took to the stage at the Roseland Theater in Portland, Ore. “We missed you, too,” vocalist Jake Snider said back.

Nearly seven years after the band retired and played their final show, Minus the Bear has returned. Their reunion tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of their sophomore album, Menos el Oso, sold out in a matter of days after its announcement. More dates were added, including two more hometown shows in Seattle at the end of the tour and a Tacoma show preceding the Portland date, making Portland the second show of the tour instead of the first stop. Then, on the actual anniversary date of the release of Menos el Oso, Minus the Bear played a pop-up show in Seattle, warming up for their tour and playing the album front-to-back at their first live performance in seven years. 

The anticipation in the crowd in Portland on October 4 was palpable. 1,450 filled the Roseland Theater to its capacity. Fans at the front of the barricade proudly donned their VIP laminates, showcasing their dedication to get there early and secure their spot at the barricade.

Minus the Bear went into “The Game Needed Me” right away and the audience sang and danced along. The sound was crisp and clear — and honestly probably the best I’ve ever heard in the Roseland — thanks to Minus the Bear bringing their own speakers. The golden yellow and grassy green lights paralleled the Menos el Oso artwork that hung behind them on stage. Guitarist Dave Knudson and bassist Cory Murchy both kicked their legs and danced in time with the music as they carved out intricate math rock rhythms on the strings.

The band continued playing Menos el Oso in order, following “The Game Needed Me” with “Memphis & 53rd” and “Drilling.” It was clear that when Snider returned his “we missed you” to the audience that it was true — each member of the band looked truly happy to be back on stage performing.

Snider told the crowd that Menos el Oso was his favorite record. “It’s kind of special ‘cause it got us to where we are today being capable of playing this for you,” he explained, touching on the album’s impact on the band’s career.

After playing Menos el Oso in full, Minus the Bear played a handful of favorites from their 18-year career, including “Spritz!!! Spritz!!!” and “Get Me Naked 2: Electric Boogaloo” from their 2002 debut album Highly Refined Pirates, and “Lemurs, Man, Lemurs” from their 2001 debut EP This Is What I Know About Being Gigantic.

After a 17-song setlist, the crowd cheered and chanted for an encore, bringing Minus the Bear back on stage. They closed out the evening with “Into the Mirror” from the 2010 album Omni, and finally, the iconic indie rock track “Absinthe Party at the Fly Honey Warehouse” from Highly Refined Pirates.

For most dates of their 20th anniversary Menos el Oso tour, Minus the Bear selected a local artist to open the show for them. In Portland, opening duties fell to Kennebec, the creative project of multi-instrumentalist Eric Phillips, who is originally from Portland but currently based in Connecticut. Accompanied by a cellist, violinist, and drummer on stage, Phillips played guitar. The mostly instrumental set – Phillips did sing for one song, joking that it was the only song in which he would “attempt” to sing – incorporated elements of jazz, neo-soul, and folk, and made for an interesting precursor to Minus the Bear, but nonetheless captivated the attention of the packed house.

Follow MINUS THE BEAR | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | SPOTIFY | APPLE MUSIC