Photos and review by: Jason Robey

CHARLOTTE, NC — Charlotte fans that braved the scorching summer heat wave on Sunday, were treated to impressive performances by three of the top bluegrass-infused acts on the scene today. Dubbed the Rowdy Summer Nights tour, Leftover Salmon, the Infamous Stringdusters, and the Kitchen Dwellers delivered a night that felt more like a family reunion at times. With the three groups sharing similar roots in bluegrass and influence by the jam band scene, each band brought its distinct flavor, weaving together a musical tapestry that honored tradition while pushing genre boundaries.

The Kitchen Dwellers set the bar high with their short-but-powerful performance, kicking off with the title track of their latest album, Seven Devils. With only 45 minutes to show the growing audience what they can do, the group wasted no time taking off into space with the effect-laden jam that stretched the song to a 13-minute masterpiece that eventually morphed into “High On a Mountain.” The band played the whole show with Asheville guitarist Jon Stickley subbing for Max Davies while he’s on paternity leave. Stickley’s North Carolina connection further solidified the evening’s family gathering vibe. A set closing song sandwich of “Drowing (…Again) > Sundown > Drowning (…Again)” capped the group’s psychedelic take on the genre and got the crowd sufficiently warmed up for the rest of the night.

Infamous Stringdusters followed with a set that perfectly balanced technical finesse and freewheeling energy. From the first notes of “Sentenced to Life With the Blues,” their blend of mandolin, fiddle, dobro, and tight rhythms filled the amphitheater with a rich, layered sound. With nearly 20 years behind them, the group has amassed an extensive catalog of crowd pleasers to pull from. Their set was an exhilarating exploration of bluegrass and improvisation, highlighted by the intricate jam that grew from “Wake the Dead.” A relatively straight-forward “Night On the River” morphed into an unexpected cover of ZZ Top’s “Sharp Dressed Man” that sent the crowd into a frenzy of dancing bodies.

Leftover Salmon closed out the night with their signature mix of rowdy energy and genre-defying grooves. Led by longtime frontmen Vince Herman and Drew Emmitt, the band burst onto the stage with “Down In the Hollow,” setting the scene for a lively set packed with fan favorites, freewheeling jams and tunes from their new album, Let’s Party About It. Their chemistry and stage presence, honed over decades, made for an engaging and mesmerizing musical journey through their set. Their ability to move fluidly from the new track “Big Wheel” to the 30-year old staple “River’s Rising” and then back to the second ever performance of the instrumental “Salmon Scales” is a testament to this band’s balance of tradition and evolution. Their set-closing take on John Hartford’s “Up On the Hill Where We Do the Boogie” brought the energy up to a new level.

For the evening’s encore, Leftover Salmon brought out members of Kitchen Dwellers and Infamous Stringdusters for a rowdy three-song celebration, made up the traditional “Little Maggie,” Peter Rowan’s “Walls of Time” and the Andy Thorn tune “Carolina Song,” that gave each of the ten players a chance to shine. With one final bow, the sweat covered crowd began to shuffle to the exit, only to be drenched by the heavy rain that thankfully held off until just minutes after the show’s end. The Rowdy Summer Nights tour continues across the country through mid-August, fans of any of these three bands are going to want to catch this one. Follow them on social media for tour dates.