Photos and review by: Jason Robey
CHARLOTTE, NC — South Florida five-piece Tand proved their status as a best kept secret on Wednesday night, giving the audience at Heist Barrel Arts a show that will someday be a “I saw them back when” story for everyone in attendance. Having played with Dogs in a Pile only 90 minutes away earlier in the week, the band has been picking up fans in the area left and right, as they head to nearby shows in South Carolina for the weekend.
The night kicked off with a set by local funk band Barcerado. Opening with a unique version of Tears For Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” the band played a a half hour mix of covers and originals, keeping a high energy danceable vibe throughout.
Tand began their set in the most unassuming way, with a warm-up jam that grew more defined over a couple minute span, eventually blasting into “Fast Money, Pt 1,” the opening track from their full-length debut album Tripp and the New Dinosaurs, released earlier this year. Known for the deep catalog the band has amassed in a few short years, the rest their set would consist of original songs that have yet to see any official release.
Musically, Tand is a funk-inspired straight up rock n roll band. Watching them live, however, there are unmistakable influences from the jam band community, as the members are masters at allowing each other to take the center of the mix. The show remained upbeat for the evening, while the audience danced to “Hoops,” and “Call it a Miracle.” The musicians also took opportunities to explore their genre-bending sound with “Bike” and “My Cloud,” clocking in at 20 and 26 minutes respectively.
Ending the set with “Fountain,” the group traded some last licks, while keeping the crowd watching and cheering for more. Tand is a band to catch while it’s still possible to see them in a small venue with space to dance. They’re currently hitting the road hard and picking up fans at every stop. Check their social media for upcoming dates.