Gavin DeGraw & Colbie Caillat delight in Boston

Singer-songwriters Gavin DeGraw and Colbie Caillat have made careers of releasing a ubiquitous pop hit every couple of years. Each artist brought their collection of popular singles, along with some new material, to the Bank of American Pavilion last Wednesday. With only a few mishaps, the show was a delight for fans.

DeGraw, who served as the night’s headliner, started out his set with a rocking version of his recent single “Sweeter”. He wasted no time getting into the songs everyone knows by continuing with “I’m in Love with a Girl”. Unfortunately, it was difficult to hear DeGraw over his band at the beginning of the show. Thankfully, the problem subsided as the show progressed and by the time he hit crowd favorite “I Don’t Want To Be”, which sparked a great sing-along.

Although famous for performing behind a piano, DeGraw, who participated in this year’s season of ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars”, moved around the stage with ease. His stage presence elevated performances of lesser known fare like “Soldier”. “Candy”, off 2011′s Sweeter, had a great 80’s pop vibe that allowed DeGraw to move smoothly from the stage back to the piano.

Some of his banter felt long-winded. He talked about living in a van, his first tour with Jason Mraz and Maroon 5, and seeing shows at the Pavilion while attending Berklee College of Music. DeGraw slowed things down for an acoustic version of “Follow Through” before launching into “the booty shaking portion” of the night. A cover of Aloe Blacc’s “I Need a Dollar” followed by “Chemical Party” provided a great segue to the show’s end.

A banging performance of “Chariot”, which climaxed with a stellar solo from drummer Ian O’Neil, ended the set. After a short break, DeGraw returned for a two-song encore of the infectious “Radiation” and smash hit “Not Over You”.

Caillat didn’t offer an exciting stage presence but sounded great during her 12-song set. She started out on the guitar for “Falling For You” but quickly dropped it and bounced around the stage for “Little Things”. Her beachy appeal shined through on tracks like “Begin Again” and current single “Favorite Song”. While she bantered too often like a jittery teenager when talking about her songs, she delivered a crowd pleasing set that featured plenty of hits including “Realize” and “I Do”.

The California native’s vocal range was showcased on “Let’s Make It Rain”, while a jam-band feel fueled “I Never Told You” (complete a bit of Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop”). Caillat forwent a proper encore to remain on stage for “I Won’t” and her summer jam “Brighter Than The Sun”, which got fans up and dancing. Bringing the set to a close, she grabbed her guitar and let her sunny demeanor shine through breakthrough hit “Bubbly”.

Javier Colon, season one winner of The Voice, opened the show with a solo acoustic set.

Gavin DeGraw – Setlist
1.  Sweeter
2.  I’m in Love With a Girl
3.  Crush
4.  Soldier
5.  Candy
6.  I Don’t Want To Be
7.  Follow Through
8.  I Need A Dollar (Aloe Blacc cover)
9.  Chemical Party
10. Run Every Time
11. Chariot
Encore
12. Radiation
13. Not Over You

Colbie Caillat – Setlist
1.  Falling For You
2.  Little Things
3.  Begin Again
4.  Realize
5.  I Do
6.  Let’s Make It Rain
7.  All Of You
8.  I Never Told You
9.  Favorite Song
10. I Won’t
11. Brighter Than The Sun
12. Bubbly