HARTFORD — On the eve of the first day of school for the Newtown district, families flocked to witness the a cappella group Pentatonix’s local stop of their North American summer tour. The Grammy Award-winning group headlined at the Xfinity Theatre in Hartford on August 26 with two opening acts.

The night kicked off with British singer Calum Scott, whose debut studio album Only Human came out in March of this year, with his newest single “What I Miss Most.”

Following his soulful set was the radio-rock band Echosmith, comprised of the Sierota siblings: lead vocalist Sydney, bassist Noah, and drummer Graham.

They performed the bubbly love song “Bright” off their 2013 album Talking Dreams, the catchy carpool anthem “Get Into My Car” from their 2017 EP Inside A Dream, and their new earworm-of-a-single “Over My Head.”

Between taking photos of the crowd for the band’s social media, Ms Sierota looked out into the open amphitheater at the moon raised perfectly in view in the night sky and said how happy they were to be with everyone there on such a beautiful night.

“We are so grateful to be here with you today and so grateful to be on this tour,” Ms Sierota said.

Echosmith ended their set with their hit “Cool Kids,” where midway, Ms Sierota reminded those listening that “You are not alone… you are so amazing and beautiful the way you are. Know that you are so loved. That is what this song is about deep down.”

Before Pentatonix started, anticipation throughout the venue built as a large white sheet descended from the ceiling and completely obscured the audience’s view of the stage. When the lights dimmed, the band member’s silhouettes could be seen and with a swift drop of the sheet onto the ground, all five singers were revealed.

From the very first note, members Kirstin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola, Mitch Grassi, Matt Sallee, and Scott Hoying made it clear how an a cappella group from Texas could skyrocket to such mainstream success after winning The Sing Off in 2011. They delivered a full-scale show, from the choreographed moves, costume changes, and stage production to flawless vocals and beatboxing.

The crowd sang along to the band’s impeccable covers of “Finesse” by Bruno Mars, “Attention” by Charlie Puth, “Havana” by Camila Cabello, and “New Rules” by Dua Lipa.

“If you know any of these, belt them out,” Mr Hoying encouraged — to which all ages obliged.

Pentatonix also did original songs like “Natural Disaster” from their 2013 album PTX, Vol. II, as well as a variety of their famous artist melody mash-ups, including their “Evolution of Rihanna” that started with snippets of “Umbrella” and ended with “We Found Love.”

Midway through the show, Mr Hoying shared the story of how the band formed, with many of them meeting in high school. They later found Mr Olusola through YouTube, where he showed he could beatbox and play cello simultaneously — a feat rare to find.

Mr Olusola then took the stage solo, colliding his two musical talents and awing the audience.

When newest member Mr Sallee spoke to the crowd, he told of his journey going from standing in the front row of a Pentatonix concert just a few short years ago to being on stage with them today.

“Do we have any dreamers here tonight?” he asked. “Go and chase your dreams, because I’m living proof that they come true.”

Wrapping up their nearly two-hour performance, Pentatonix covered Demi Lovato’s “Sorry Not Sorry,” with confetti canons raining color down on everyone, and the band closed the show with Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”