Photos and review by: Jason Robey
CHARLOTTE, NC —
Neighborhood Theatre in Charlotte echoed with the sound of bluegrass on Saturday night, as Raleigh group Into the Fog celebrated the release of their new album for the Queen City crowd. By the time the night was over, all but one song from the record, Carolina Moon, would grace the halls of the venue.
The evening kicked off with a 40-minute set by Charlotte group The Local Boys, featuring a handful of both traditional and original bluegrass tunes. The audience began filling in as the band rolled through their take on well-known songs like the 1930 Mississippi Sheiks classic “Sittin’ On Top of the World,” Phish’s “Back On the Train,” and John Hartford’s “Vamp in the Middle,” also popular as a staple of Billy Strings shows.
From the opening notes of “Old Aquarian Line,” Into the Fog whipped the crowd into dancing mode. After a couple older songs, the group tore into Carolina Moon with “Troubled World,” described as being about “all sorts of anxiety on a mountain,” by vocalist/stand-up bassist Derek Lane. The song was the night’s first taste of their penchant for psychedelic jamming, with Lane’s talkbox effect for some unique bass licks.
Other Carolina Moon songs like “Appalachian Girl” and “Carolina Callin’” that were new to most of the audience were catchy enough to have people singing along by the time they were done. The group weaved a couple covers into the set, as well, starting with Willie Nelson’s “Bloody Mary Morning,” followed by a spot-on and crowd-pleasing take on Billy Strings’ “Away From the Mire.”
Into the Fog kept the upbeat energy going through their entire hour and a half set, going into the homestretch with “One Bag, One Jar, and One Rail.” Lane credited that song to their friend Mason Via, and took the opportunity to announce their third annual Fogsgiving show, happening in Raleigh on November 29, featuring Mason, as well as the Larry Keel Experience. The group then jumped into a 10-minute jam of “Hoagie’s Voyage” to bring the night to a close.
Follow Into the Fog on social media for tour dates and information.