Photos and review by: Jason Robey
CHARLOTTE, NC — Progressive rock / electro-funk band TAUK made an early stop on their tour, billed as TAUK Moore, at the Neighborhood Theatre in Charlotte on Wednesday. Joined by Konika Moore, vocalist for Doom Flamingo, the packed house was treated to an evening of a soulful blend of spacey jazz-infused and jam heavy rock.
The show opened with a high energy set from Georgia band Funk You. The group’s vibe was a balanced blend of vintage soul and modern funk, bringing the already packed house to their feet, dancing to swirling bass lines and powerful rhythms. “Moving Forward” was the perfect kickoff to an hour of groove-heavy tunes from the seven-piece group. Funk You kept the mood light and happy with their bouncy vibe, making sure the audience didn’t have the chance to stop their bodies from moving to beat for their entire set.
TAUK took the house by storm with a mesmerizing performance of “Mindshift,” setting the stage for a trance-inducing night of complex rhythms and intricate guitar and synth interplay. After the first two songs as a quartet, the band brought Konika Moore to the stage for most of the show, starting with a mind-melting take on “Supernova.”
Moore’s beautiful, soaring vocals were the perfect complement to TAUK’s often instrumental style, adding a new dimension to the group’s show. They further added to the mix by bringing the three-piece horn section of Funk You for several songs, including the latest single (also featuring Moore), “Flex.” The extra players also made the perfect opportunity for an energetic cover of Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop.”
Fans got several other treats throughout the evening, including the live debut of “Sound the Alarm” and a beautifully haunting cover of Led Zeppelin’s “No Quarter” to end the set. The encore also offered a rare cover of Radiohead’s “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi,” the perfect ending for a magical night. Catch the TAUK Moore tour on the east coast through the beginning of March, check their social media for dates.