WILDER WOODS AT THE PARADISE ROCK CLUB

On March 13, 2025, The Curioso Tour stopped in Boston, with Wilder Woods promoting his third album titled Curioso released on February 7, 2025, via Dualtone Music Group. “It’s an album that explores all the curious corners of Bear Rinehart’s sound, powered by his genre-bending approach to anthemic American music. He followed the muse into uncharted territory: the slow-cooked soul of “Time On My Hands,” featuring vocals (and vibes) from Jim James, the thick, synthy soundscapes of “King of Magic”; the stomping, four-on-the-floor rock & roller “Hide Anymore”; the harmony-driven “Offering,” recorded as an Indie-folk duet with Anna Graves; the alt-pop highlight “Where Do We Go From Here,” which trades the sunny uplift of Rinehart’s earlier work for something dark and driving.”

“It’s a wide mix of texture, tone, and razor-sharp songwriting, held together not by some lyrical thread or overarching story, but simply by the enthusiasm of a longtime musician who’s still eager to stretch his legs and cover new ground. This album was a process of letting go and indulging in some of the more specific musical itches I’ve always wanted to scratch,” says Rinehart, a South Carolina native, the son of a Christian pastor, with the whole family contributed to the gospel church music. He started listening to Bruce Springsteen and U2. His two-decade career already includes six chart-topping albums with NEEDTOBREATHE, multiple GRAMMY and Billboard Music Award wins and nominations, and sold-out shows across America.

As a fan of live music, I was excited when this show was announced. A founding member, guitarist and lead singer of the rock band NEEDTOBREATHE, William Stanley “Bear” Rinehart III announced in 2019 the launch of a solo career under the name Wilder Woods. Known as one of the best singers and songwriters in the music industry, Woods is a talented artist who offered fans some fantastic concerts.

Strong on his reputation, hundreds of enthusiastic and crazy fans, most of them college students, attended the concert. It was an exceptional show from the beginning to the end. A very energized audience was dancing, singing, jumping into the room. The atmosphere was electric. The lights were flashing, the sound was loud, and the audience was proclaiming their love for Bear and his music.

Woods played a series of songs and most of them from the album CURIOSO. A group of talented artists around him formed the group. It was a full band on stage comprised of a lead guitarist, keyboardist, drummer, bassist, guitarist/percussionist, and a fantastic back-up singer.

“The whole band is incredibly talented.” I felt like I was watching a band that was being inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame,” said a reviewer.

On stage Woods admitted that he is performing with the best band he has ever had. He added:” Many people see me as a rock star, I am just an artist who loves music. My passion is to share my songs with the audience.”

With his third release as Wilder Woods, Rinehart has not just established his own sound; he is moved beyond it, too. He delivered each song with the vocal firepower of someone who is used to being onstage nightly, singing for the fans in the back row.

Personally, as a fan of live music, I recommend everyone see Wilder Woods performing with his band. It was one of the best concerts I have been to in the last past years.

Setlist:

Time On My Hands

Where Do We Go from Here

Heartland

Feel

Hide Anymore

Someday Soon

She Talks to Angels (The Black Crowes cover)

Love Last

Heavenly Light (work tape)

Devil in My Eyes

Criminal