Photos and review by: Jason Robey

CHARLOTTE, NC — Hot on the heels of their new album, Melt, Indiana groove/soul/jam group Dizgo made their first visit to Charlotte on Thursday. The band has been making their way around the east and picking up new fans at every stop. Tonight’s stop at Heist Brewery in the artsy NoDa neighborhood brought an enthusiastic crowd, ready to dance to some killer jams. 

Charlotte locals Council Ring opened the show with a 45-minute set of original psychedelic rock tunes. The five-piece has been lighting up venues around North Carolina lately, in preparation for the release of their upcoming album, Confluence. With a sound that’s reminiscent of early Pink Floyd with a modern hard rock twist, the group provided a perfect warm-up for the night. One highlight of their set is the lead single from the album, “Just Like That,” with its catchy chorus and punchy rhythm.

Dizgo hit the stage with the opening notes of “Through the Air,” and transformed the small bar venue into a concert hall, dishing up a two-hour show that the modest crowd will brag about seeing when the band is playing those bigger rooms. The group has been keeping a healthy selection of Melt songs in their setlists on this tour, letting their excitement for the album show, and rightfully so. The funk-groove heavy “Honey” gave the crowd no choice but to dance, with its infectious chorus and deep bass line, leading into a blazing version of the Hall & Oates classic “I Can’t go for that.”

An unexpected cover of Phish’s “Carini” filled the air with jams that showed the group’s impeccable talent for improv, with a seamless transition into “It’s Alright,” the opening track from Melt. The show came to a climax with an energetic cover of Pink Floyd’s “Have a Cigar,” with swirling lights and an instrumental passage that morphed into the title track from Melt, dripping with psychedelic guitar and keyboard runs. The only disappointment of the evening came when the band left the stage before giving into the crowd’s chanting for one more song — only to be told they’ve hit the curfew. Dizgo will be on the road across the country until fall and beyond, check their social media for dates to experience this group live.