Grizzly Bear In Concert

Published September 20, 2012 at 12:30 PM EDT

1 of 11 — Grizzly Bear began in 2004 as a bedroom recording project for Massachusetts native Ed Droste (DROE-stee).

Grizzly Bear began in 2004 as a bedroom recording project for Massachusetts native Ed Droste (DROE-stee).

2 of 11 — In the years since, Grizzly Bear has grown to a full band, giving sold-out shows at some of the most storied venues in the country, including the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C

In the years since, Grizzly Bear has grown to a full band, giving sold-out shows at some of the most storied venues in the country, including the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C

For this performance, the group highlighted cuts from Grizzly Bear's latest album, the richly layered <em>Shields</em>. Bassist and multi-instrumentalist Chris Taylor adds clarinet to the mix.

3 of 11 — For this performance, the group highlighted cuts from Grizzly Bear's latest album, the richly layered Shields. Bassist and multi-instrumentalist Chris Taylor adds clarinet to the mix.

For this performance, the group highlighted cuts from Grizzly Bear's latest album, the richly layered Shields. Bassist and multi-instrumentalist Chris Taylor adds clarinet to the mix.

Recreating the sonic scope of <em>Shields</em> required a carefully orchestrated assortment of effects pedals.

4 of 11 — Recreating the sonic scope of Shields required a carefully orchestrated assortment of effects pedals.

Recreating the sonic scope of Shields required a carefully orchestrated assortment of effects pedals.

5 of 11 — Ed Droste's earliest recordings were moody and roughly sketched. But with the full band, the songs have become bigger and more polished.

Ed Droste's earliest recordings were moody and roughly sketched. But with the full band, the songs have become bigger and more polished.

6 of 11 — Fans expecting the gentler side of Grizzly Bear were taken by surprise with this performance. The show was bass-heavy, loud and at times epic.

Fans expecting the gentler side of Grizzly Bear were taken by surprise with this performance. The show was bass-heavy, loud and at times epic.

Drummer Christopher Bear has been with the group since it released its first album, <em>Horn Of Plenty</em>, in 2004. <em>Shileds</em> is Grizzly Bear's fourth full-length.

7 of 11 — Drummer Christopher Bear has been with the group since it released its first album, Horn Of Plenty, in 2004. Shileds is Grizzly Bear's fourth full-length.

Drummer Christopher Bear has been with the group since it released its first album, Horn Of Plenty, in 2004. Shileds is Grizzly Bear's fourth full-length.

8 of 11 — For much of the 9:30 Club performance, the band was bathed in warm red light, with jellyfish-like lanterns that slowly rose and fell throughout the show.

For much of the 9:30 Club performance, the band was bathed in warm red light, with jellyfish-like lanterns that slowly rose and fell throughout the show.

9 of 11 — Grizzly Bear spent much of the first half of the 90-minute show on the group's latest batch of songs. Later in the set, the band dug deeper into its catalog, featuring songs such as "Knife" and "On A Neck, On A Spit" from the 2006 breakout album Yellow House.

Grizzly Bear spent much of the first half of the 90-minute show on the group's latest batch of songs. Later in the set, the band dug deeper into its catalog, featuring songs such as "Knife" and "On A Neck, On A Spit" from the 2006 breakout album Yellow House.

Grizzly Bear guitarist Daniel Rosen is also known as one-half of the duo Department Of Eagles, and released his own solo EP in 2012 called <em>Silent Hour/Golden Mile</em>.

10 of 11 — Grizzly Bear guitarist Daniel Rosen is also known as one-half of the duo Department Of Eagles, and released his own solo EP in 2012 called Silent Hour/Golden Mile.

Grizzly Bear guitarist Daniel Rosen is also known as one-half of the duo Department Of Eagles, and released his own solo EP in 2012 called Silent Hour/Golden Mile.

11 of 11 — Toward the end of the set, Grizzly Bear treated fans to one of the group's most popular songs, "Two Weeks." Signer Droste tells NPR "it's just a simple reference to taking time off from all the stresses of life and trying to save up all those vacation days."

Toward the end of the set, Grizzly Bear treated fans to one of the group's most popular songs, "Two Weeks." Signer Droste tells NPR "it's just a simple reference to taking time off from all the stresses of life and trying to save up all those vacation days."

Grizzly Bear began in 2004 as a bedroom recording project for Massachusetts native Ed Droste. His early songs were mostly trippy, atmospheric and roughly sketched soundscapes, but by 2006, Grizzly Bear had evolved into a full band and released the slightly more polished album Yellow House. The group's 2009 breakthrough, Veckatimist, and the new Shields are both richly layered productions with gorgeous, soaring harmonies and artful melodies and rhythms.