Photos and Review by Jolene Rheault
CHARLOTTE, NC — It was one of those nights where you walk into the venue knowing you’re about to be part of something special. The walls of Neighborhood Theatre practically hummed with anticipation as Fireside Collective took the stage last Thursday night, ready to deliver a genre-defying set that fused high-octane bluegrass with jam-heavy soul and a touch of funk grit. The Asheville-based five-piece didn’t just play a show—they built a world and invited Charlotte in for the ride.
Before the Collective unleashed their cosmic campfire, Time Sawyer opened the evening with their signature blend of rootsy charm and heartfelt storytelling. Anchored by Sam Tayloe’s unmistakable vocals, the band eased the room into motion with a warm, reflective set that gave folks plenty to hold onto. By the time “Boxer” closed their set, the crowd was fully present—ready for what came next.
And what came next was a masterclass in musical chemistry. With Michael Tillis now on drums, Fireside Collective’s sound has taken on a whole new layer—deeper, groovier, and more explosive. They opened with “She Was an Angel,” and it quickly became clear this wasn’t your typical string band set. The night unfolded like a fever dream of tight arrangements and fearless exploration. “The Seven,” a new instrumental, was a standout—equal parts precision and chaos, pushing the band’s boundaries with every twist.
As always, each member got their moment to shine: Jesse Iaquinto’s mandolin playing was both surgical and soulful, Joe Cicero’s guitar work danced between mountain trails and rock halls, and Tommy Maher’s resonator added a golden, searing layer that cut through the mix with just the right amount of grit. Carson White held down the low end with quiet confidence, giving the whole thing legs to run wild.
Their cover of Tom Petty’s “You Don’t Know How It Feels” hit the sweet spot—equal parts homage and reinvention—before the band slid into a stretched-out, psychedelic take on “Just One Step” that had the whole room floating. A handful of traditional covers like “Rosa Lee McFall” and “Darlin’ Corey” grounded the set in their bluegrass roots, while new originals pointed clearly to where the band is headed next: further into the jam-iverse, where genre is more suggestion than rule.
And just in time to stoke that fire even higher, today Fireside Collective was announced as part of the official lineup for Jam Cruise 22—a floating festival that’s become a rite of passage for the jam scene’s elite and emerging. With the kind of set they threw down in Charlotte, it’s clear they’ve earned their spot on the boat.
Fireside Collective isn’t just evolving—they’re erupting. What began as a tight-knit acoustic outfit has grown into a full-on sonic expedition, and Charlotte got the front-row view. If this show was any indication, the band’s next chapter is going to be loud, loose, and full of fire.
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