Photos and Review by Jolene Rheault
CHARLOTTE, NC — A balmy Sunday evening in Charlotte turned electric as three genre-defying powerhouses—Kitchen Dwellers, The Infamous Stringdusters, and Leftover Salmon—came together for a night of music that spanned tradition, improvisation, and full-on jamgrass joy. Each band brought their own sonic flavor, and together they created a beautifully woven experience that showcased how far acoustic music can stretch when it’s put in the right hands.
Montana’s own Kitchen Dwellers opened the evening with a psychedelic-leaning set that grounded the crowd in their signature “galaxy grass” sound. With Jon Stickley filling in for new dad Max Davies, the band didn’t miss a beat.
They dug right into “Seven Devils,” letting its swirling narrative unfold over layered textures and spacey swells.
Their cover of Ola Belle Reed’s “High on a Mountain Top” struck that sweet nostalgic chord, while “Freeborn Man” roared with grit and intention.
“Stand at Ease” and “Sundown” shimmered with melodic clarity, and the return of “Drowning (… Again)” served as a haunting and heartfelt bookend. The set was cosmic, tight, and unmistakably theirs.
The Infamous Stringdusters followed with a performance that was technically dazzling and emotionally rich.
“Sentenced to Life With the Blues” set the tone with driving momentum, and by the time they hit “Sirens” and “Night on the River,” their blend of polished musicianship and improvisational spirit was in full flight.
A ripping version of ZZ Top’s “Sharp Dressed Man” drew cheers across generations, and the harmonies on “Pearl of Carolina” felt tailor-made for a North Carolina crowd.
The Stringdusters always seem to know when to lay it all out and when to pull back, and that dynamic push-and-pull was on full display through the night. By the time “Fork in the Road” closed their set, they had taken the crowd on a journey equal parts grounded and soaring.
Leftover Salmon took the stage like a band with nothing to prove—and yet still somehow managed to raise the bar.
Drew Emmitt’s mandolin and Vince Herman’s ever-present grin led the charge through a set that was equal parts funky, fiery, and joyously unfiltered.
“Down in the Hollow” opened the show with a dose of front-porch bounce, while “River’s Rising” and “Southern Belle” took the tempo—and the crowd—to higher ground.
For the encore, Leftover Salmon welcomed members of both the Kitchen Dwellers and the Infamous Stringdusters back to the stage for one final hoedown.
The impromptu supergroup tore through a three-song run that started with the foot-stomping traditional tune “Little Maggie,” eased into a heartfelt take on Peter Rowan’s “Walls of Time,” and wrapped with “Carolina Song,” written by Salmon’s own Andy Thorn.
It was a full-on jamgrass celebration, with all ten musicians swapping solos, trading smiles, and leaning into the kind of musical camaraderie that only happens when the chemistry is just right.
The Rowdy Summer Nights tour continues through mid-August, and if this show was any indication, it’s one not to miss. Check their socials for upcoming dates—your summer will be better for it.
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