Photos and Review by Jolene Rheault
The Eastern leg of The Dead South‘s Chains & Stakes World Tour commenced with a spirited performance on Sunday evening at the Charlotte Filmore, following their recent show at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
Labeling their music as progressive bluegrass, alternative Americana, country, folk, or western becomes secondary; what truly counts is that the music is undeniably theirs. It captivates audiences of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, experiences, languages, and ages, forging a universal appeal that transcends genre boundaries. And the foot-stomping, hootin’, and hollerin’ inside the Filmore was proof of just that.
The evening started with openers Jake Vaadeland & the Sturgeon River Boys, blending Bluegrass and 50’s Rockabilly. From playing songs like ‘Bachelor’s Life’ and ‘Diet Pepsi’ to the upright bassist rocking out so intensely that he blew a string, the unpredictability set the tone for an unforgettable show. Recovering seamlessly, the band primed the crowd for the next act, The Hooten Hallers.
The Hooten Hallers burst onto the stage with a fiery, bluesy, rock and roll energy, immediately engaging the crowd with hits like ‘Sticks and Stones’ and ‘Queen of Space.’ The infectious rhythm had everyone dancing, and by the time they concluded their set with ‘Even The Blues Gets The Blues’ and ‘Rhythm & Blues,’ a new fan base was undoubtedly established.
Everyone in the room was ready for The Dead South to take the stage. It’s not very often that you see a band traveling with their own stage set, but the Dead South did not disappoint with their western showdown of a set. Opening with a personal favorite ‘Blood on the Mind’ before drifting effortlessly into ‘Yours to Keep’ resulted in a solid rhythm for the rest of the show.
‘Black Lung’ was a highlight mid-set that had everybody in the building their feet along and wailing “Whoa-oa-oh-oh-oh-oa, whoa-oh-oh-oh-oa” along with the band. I didn’t think it could get any better until they ripped into ‘In Hell I’ll Be in Good Company’ toward the end and a crowd-pleasing ‘Banjo Odyssey’ for the encore.
Undoubtedly, The Dead South breathed new life into the Filmore Charlotte, leaving an indelible mark on the venue and its enthusiastic audience.
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