Photos and review by: Jason Robey
CHARLOTTE, NC — High-flying Nashville jam band Airshow landed in Charlotte for a show at the Evening Muse on Thursday night, bringing their trippy blend of rock and bluegrass to the Queen City. As usual in the jam band scene, setlists are completely different every night, making every show a unique experience.
Since their inception in 2017, Airshow has made their way into the scene, playing over 200 shows in 19 states. Opening their set tonight with “Traveling Through,” from their debut EP Lightbulb, the quartet took the audience on a psychedelic trip through their career, with swirling effects and energetic rhythms.
The lone visit to their most recent album, Shimmer, “Skydiver” provided a perfect vehicle for improvisation, with an extended jam between guitar and mandolin, over a slow groove. The short but infectious set hit the climax with a raucous “Spider Bite,” giving the band the chance to let loose before transitioning to “Up on the Hill.” The group left the audience wanting more, and hoping they’ll be back in town before long. Check Airshow’s social media pages for tour dates!
Closing out the evening, Into the Fog brought their brand of bluegrass jamming from nearby Raleigh. The group worked their way through a set that had the crowd dancing and stomping along, made up mostly of songs that have yet to be recorded, only known to fans from live shows. Their cover of. Britney Spears’ “Toxic” was a well-received surprise, prompting much of the audience to sing along. The group’s closing cover of Perpetual Groove’s “3 Weeks” kept anyone in the room from standing still.
Airshow and Into the Fog are two bands to make sure and catch while you can see them in small intimate venues.