On Sept. 30, Nashville-based soul/folk bands Anderson East and The Lone Bellow opened the first night of their two-country tour together at the Gothic Theatre.

Anderson East is the professional pseudonym for 27-year-old Athens, Alabama native Michael Anderson, who released his first album on a major record label early this July. East has been touring all summer in support of the album, “Delilah,” opening for acts like Brandi Carlile and throwing in some headlining gigs as well.

“We recorded the whole thing in a month [total], but we would do three or four songs every few months whenever I could scrape up the cash to get it going,” East said in a phone interview with the Clarion. “The process was really just three or four guys in the same room just making music, there was really no preconception, no tricks or gimmicks about it.”

“No tricks or gimmicks” is really what East’s music is all about. At the show, East charmed the mostly full Gothic, many of whom were there to see headliner The Lone Bellow—though more than a few concertgoers were familiar with East—with his pure and soulful sound. His music bounces from soul to rock to a little bit of country in a sound that’s maybe only definable as roots, but his honeyed, yet gravelly voice is strong enough to carry anything, and fits his sound perfectly.

“I don’t think it was ever a super conscious decision…it was just what the songs were, and we tried to service the songs to make them come alive instead of striving to be a genre,” East said. “I think being from the south and having the kind of upbringing that I had definitely has shaped all that and I know that everybody’s influence ultimately leads them to where they are, but it’s a culmination of a life at this point.”

Backed by keyboards, electric guitar, drums, bass and a horn section (saxophone and trumpet) the band’s sound is old-school, but still fresh and accessible.

Wednesday’s set included mainly original songs by East, all of which were off of “Delilah,” including single “Satisfy Me,”  and other songs “Only You,” “Quit You,” “Keep the Fire Burning” and a cover of “Find ‘Em, Fool ‘Em, Forget ‘Em,” which East found in the archives of FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. They also sprinkled other covers throughout the set, including a couple of ’60s soul tunes and Van Morrison’s “Tupelo Honey.” The band’s energy and East’s unique voice make each song their own. And throughout the 30-40 minute set, the energy never stopped, even on the slower songs, not that there were many of them. “Lonely” was probably the slowest song they did, but even that didn’t put a damper on the mood.

The Lone Bellow was up next, and while they were all extremely talented musicians, the vibe just wasn’t the same. East’s set was full of fun, dance-worthy songs, while The Lone Bellow was at times a little more mellow and a little more serious. They also came off less authentic than East and his band, especially the lead singer Zach Williams. Watching The Lone Bellow felt like going to a church that you don’t belong to, while East had an accessible vibe. The Lone Bellow was at their most accessible with the three main members of the band—Williams, Kanene Donehey Pipkin and Brian Elmquist—all gathered around one microphone for a few songs. However, all around, it was a great show with a great crowd.

“Ultimately what I’ve been doing is just trying to have fun at this and still trying to be a 13-year-old punk ass kid with an electric guitar,” East said.

East will be touring with The Lone Bellow with a handful of headlining dates until mid-November.

“I’m excited to get to know [The Lone Bellow] better. I think they’re incredibly talented and really sweet people,” East said.

More information about his tour can be found on his website. His album “Delilah” is available on iTunes and Spotify.