Photos and review by: Jason Robey

CHARLOTTE, NC — The night was filled with exploration of jazz, electronica, and psychedelia when Octave Cat made a tour stop at the Visulite. The group mesmerized the crowd at the intimate venue with a night filled with exploration of jazz, electronica, and psychedelia. With local experimental duo The Wormholes opening, the night unfolded as a celebration of genre fusion, technical mastery, and immersive soundscapes.

Charlotte duo The Wormholes opened the night with their signature blend of shoe gaze and art rock. Their captivating performance, including tracks from their second full-length release, Light in the Dark, took listeners on a journey through an atmospheric dreamscape with a wall of sound unexpected from only two musicians left a lasting impression on the crowd. Their mix of layered synths and spacey guitars set the perfect tone for the evening.

Making their first appearance in Charlotte, Octave Cat delivered a mesmerizing set that pushed the boundaries of jazz and jam music. The trio—featuring Eli Winderman of Dopapod on keyboards, Jesse Miller of Lotus on bass and modular synth, and Charlie Patierno on drums—seamlessly blended vintage jazz grooves with the sounds of house and EDM synthesizers. Influences such as Herbie Hancock’s jazz-funk and Four Tet’s electronica were evident throughout their performance, with dynamic performances of original tunes like “Metropolis” and “Coins.”

Two covers in the band’s setlist showed their chameleon-like range. First was their take on Joe Jackson’s “Steppin’ Out,” driven by Patierno’s impeccable rhythmic prowess. Later in the set, they knocked it out of the park with a performance of The Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields Forever,” which transitioned into an extended improv jam. Throughout the evening, all three musicians took several opportunities to showcase their individual talents, while always seamlessly bringing it back to the composed parts of the songs. 

Catch Octave Cat on tour throughout the Spring and Summer, with several festivals appearances on the schedule as well. Follow their social media for dates.