The Head and the Heart Take Over Gallagher Square with John Vincent III and Tyler Ballgame
Monday night, September 29, Gallagher Square at Petco Park was set to showcase the talents of Tyler Ballgame, John Vincent III, and headliners The Head and the Heart. As the sun began to set behind the ballpark, fans streamed in, claiming their spots near the stage, it was the perfect venue for what would be three very grand yet intimate performances.
Tyler Ballgame, a Rhode Island native who now calls Los Angeles home, kicked off the evening with a set that blended power and vulnerability. With a debut album, For the First Time, Again, dropping January 30, 2026 on Rough Trade Records, Tyler’s voice has been likened to Roy Orbison and Harry Nilsson. Monday night, Tyler showed why he’s commanding attention and quickly developing a cult following. Even as the crowd got food and made themselves at home, his sound cut through the chatter.
Following Tyler’s soulful performance, John Vincent III took to the stage. Vincent was joined by longtime friends and bandmates Parker Kaplan and Nick Dow on guitars, Noah Pope on drums, and Nicholas Kozushko “runnin’ many different things.” Vincent and friends had a palpable chemistry and made sure to play all the hits, including fan-favorite “Next to You.” Between laughing midsong and improvising new harmonies, they demonstrated a cool looseness that really pulled listeners into the performance. Vincent’s raw, unpolished voice, tinged with his Houston, Texas accent, gave their set an authenticity that felt like a living room jam the entire audience could join in on.
After a somber goodbye to Vincent, the audience began to light up as stagehands were seen getting ready for the main act. Fans lounging on the grass hurried forward to claim their spots, as the venue shifted from an intimate gathering to an arena-ready atmosphere. The Head and the Heart took off with a bang, performing their hit “All We Ever Knew” from their 2016 album, Signs of Light. The band is composed of co-founder Jonathan Russell on vocals, guitar, and percussion; Charity Rose Thielen on violin, guitar, and vocals; Chris Zasche on bass; Kenny Hensley on piano; Tyler Williams on drums; and Matt Gervais on guitar and vocals. Formed in Seattle in 2009, the band’s Pacific Northwest roots, combined with the varied backgrounds of its nomadic members, help shape the uplifting yet melancholic sound they inhabit. Indie-rock Americana finds a home in The Head and the Heart.
The setlist included “Honeybee,” “Rivers and Roads,” and “Lost in My Mind,” turning Gallagher Square into a choir as the audience erupted in song. Russell’s inviting vocals, Thielen’s signature haunting violin, Hensley’s graceful piano, and the band’s harmonies and seasoned-pros presence combined for a performance that was tender, intriguing, and truly awe-inspiring all at once.
In addition to touring, the band continues to write and record new music, performing songs from their latest album, Aperture (2025). Their songwriting and musicianship remain as strong as ever, leaving fans inspired and onlookers eager to explore the rest of their discography. On a night marked by a glowing San Diego skyline and the beauty of Gallagher Square, it was hard not to leave with a sense of camaraderie, optimism, and thoughtful reflection.