Photos and review by: Jason Robey
CHARLOTTE, NC — There’s something about shows at Amos’ Southend that always have a vibe of the club shows you see in movies from the 80s and 90s. Maybe it’s the engagement between the bands and the crowd, the layout of the venue, or something else entirely, but Saturday night was no different as Charleston quartet Stop Light Observations returned to the city. Coupled with opening act Winyah, also from the Carolinas, there was a feeling of a welcome home party in the crowd.
Winyah kicked off with a 45-minute set comprised of the ten songs on their debut album, Lot to Learn, released the before this evening’s show (the most of the songs were released as singles on streaming over the past year). As they launched into opening track “XO,” the crowd was dancing to Winyah’s upbeat and energetic performance. The group was the perfect opening act for the evening, getting the audience dancing and keeping the mood happy.
Stop Light Observations put on an unforgettable show, effortlessly blending Southern charm with infectious indie rock energy. From the very first note, their stage presence was magnetic, drawing the crowd in with a mix of groovy basslines, tight drumming, and crisp guitar riffs. The band’s sound is both nostalgic and modern, with elements of classic rock, funk, and blues woven into their songs. Lead vocalist Will Blackburn’s soulful voice and dynamic delivery brought each track to life, moving seamlessly from tender ballads to high-energy anthems that had the entire venue swaying and singing along.
The band showed their excitement for their newer material over the course of the evening, with the setlist including the entirety of their latest full length album, 2020’s oRANGE, as well as several singles released since then. Mixed in with crowd favorites like “57chevy” and “Ozymandias,” they did make a nod to their 2013 debut, Radiation, with a run through of “Purple People.” SLO kept the audience engaged throughout the set, with Blackburn taking a couple opportunities to talk to them, mentioning that they’d be taking a break to write and record some new music. Their two-song encore started with the brand new tune “Flowers,” released as a single earlier in the month, and closed with a raucous performance of “Aquarius Apocalyptic,” before the band signed off for the evening.
Watch for new Stop Light Observations tour dates on their social media pages.