Big Names Make a Local Talent Sandwich in the Days Ahead
Wolfgang Wallace; p/c Grayson Johnson
This is the kind of weekend that really highlights what Greenville has come to in its seemingly unstoppable growth. In my youth, I would be lucky enough to stumble upon the odd cover band at a local watering hole and you had to go to a “big city” to see someone you had actually heard of. Now, legendary names come to Greenville on a regular basis and there is so much homegrown, original local talent that they can overflow the marquee at a single venue. Whatever you feel about the traffic and the “they all look the same” apartment buildings sprouting like weeds, I am here for all the progress the city’s music scene has to offer.
First, let me get the big names out of the way as these are most certainly artists that do not need any promotion or help selling tickets from little ol’ me. Country legend Reba McEntire is taking over the Bon Secours Wellness Arena tonight (but it will always be the Bi-Lo Center to me) while Harry Connick Jr. visits The Peace Center Monday evening. Both of these artists are American icons by any definition of the word and artists that might not have been able to find Greenville on a map 20 years ago. To see them visit two separate venues on opposite ends of the weekend is the kind of growth we should all be able to get on board with.
More exciting to me, for what it is worth, is the fact that The Radio Room is going bonkers with local (and a little regional) talent all weekend long. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday all feature live music with three to four artists each night. Radagascar, Quality Time, Slackjaw, and Shore headline each evening respectively but, if I am being honest, you could make a case for most any of the weekend’s 14 artists headlining their own show on any given weekend.
Quality Time
The fun starts tonight with Clemson’s emo/bummer punk Radagascar being joined by fellow Upstate artists The Planks and Mean Sweetie. This evening has definite punk forward influences and anyone who knows me at all knows that I fell in love with The Planks last year when they were nominated in the Best New Artist category for the Upstate Music Awards. Friday tilts slightly in a more rock/indie direction with Quality Time, Babe Haven, Yes Chef!, and Sidestep Dog. From what I have heard/know of from this group, Quality Time is the artist I am most looking forward to but Yes Chef! is my favorite band name of the weekend.
Things take a heavy turn on Saturday with heavy metal heads Slackjaw tearing things up with Parris Bridge and Redefined. I was honored to present Parris Bridge with the first ever Upstate Music Award just under two years ago for the Best New Artist category and I have really enjoyed following their evolution ever since. All of these three artists are absolute barnburners and lovers of all things heavy are in for a real treat.
Slackjaw; p/c Dylan Fipps
Things relax a bit on Sunday, as they should, of course. Headliner Shore combines elements of local bands Luxx and John Ballentine and, for a relatively young act I am super impressed by their indie/surf rock vibes. I even caught myself singing along with their cover of the Violent Femmes’ classic “Kiss Off” which I generally consider a near un-coverable classic. Emo folk artists Wolfgang Wallace, Gridd, and Riibread round out the evening and, here, I would be remiss in professing my love for Gridd. Winner of Best New Artist at last year’s UMA’s, he was arguably the most interesting and thought-provoking new band that I have listened to in ages, local or otherwise. Each of these four artists brings something unique to the table and all make for a damn good reason to go out on a Sunday night.
Wolfgang Wallace; p/c Grayson Johnson
