Photos and review by: Jason Robey

CHARLOTTE, NC — The Music Yard buzzed with anticipation on Saturday night, as the return of warm weather signaled music lovers that it was time to gather beneath string lights and palm trees for an evening steeped in groove and soul. The stage was set for a perfect evening of dancing to the music.

Kendall Street Company set a fitting tone, with their quirky brand of genre-bending jams and fun stage antics. Kicking off with “Lady I Love,” the Charlottesville, VA five-piece took the audience on an hour and a half journey through their growing catalog and ever-changing setlist. Songs like “393” and “Crab Surprise” showed how the group’s music can be simultaneously complex enough to pique the interest of those who listen to the finer details of music while remaining accessible enough for casual listeners to dance and sing along. From the Pink Floyd-like psychedelia of “Trapeze” to the funk-laced “Checkin’ Out” to the show closing cover of Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools,” Kendall Street Company did a fantastic job getting the audience on their feet.

As the sun went down, Dangermuffin took the stage, bringing their unique blend of Americana, folk, and reggae to the venue. Opening with “Cicada,” the setlist was a journey through their discography, each song being delivered with passion and precision, showcasing the band’s musical versatility. From the uplifting “We Push Mountains” to the reggae-soaked cover of Bob Marley’s “Could You Be Loved,” the band delivered a set that was as much about vibe as it was virtuosity. They flowed seamlessly between cosmic jams like “Moonscapes” and roots-rock tunes like “Walk to the Wind.”

A standout centerpiece of their set was their rendition of the Grateful Dead’s “Scarlet Begonias,” with an extended groove-laden jam, paying fitting tribute to the musical legends while also making the song their own. They closed strong with a run of emotionally charged tracks, including “Homestead,” a fun take on Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall” and the emotional closer, “The Rising Souls,” to the delight of the fan that held up a request for the song on her phone several times throughout the show.

Dangermuffin and Kendall Street Company are both on the lineup for the Rooster Walk festival in Axton, VA in May. Follow both bands on their social media pages for other tour dates throughout the year.