Six months ago The Revivalists sold out The Fillmore in Charlotte. Therefore it only made sense to step it up to the next biggest venue in the Queen City: Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre.
“I can’t believe how many people are here,” The Revivalists frontman David Shaw said as he peered into the crowd mid-set.
It was true. The band garnered quite the crowd and certainly one that wouldn’t have fit inside the walls of The Fillmore had they decided to revisit the neighboring venue. It’s likely that fans that helped sellout the previous show, invited their friends and family for the second outing, as that’s how The Revivalists have built such a strong fanbase since “Wish I Knew You” smashed single-week listening records.
“We did it by building a live audience and our fans bringing their friends to see us,” drummer Andrew Campanelli told The Augusta Chronicle. “So when we got a song on the radio, it was tens of thousands of people saying, ‘Our band is on the radio!’ That has allowed it to expand because our fans are excited about it and are telling their friends.”
And those in attendance for The Revivalists were definitely excited about it. The band entered the stage one by one. First the drums and percussion took their place in the back, followed by the saxophone and trumpet. George Gekas on the bass guitar trailed and strolled out alongside guitarist Ed Williams before Shaw emerged behind his fellow six band to the tail end of a rousing applause from an audience that cheered throughout the entire introduction. The venue was pulsing with applause for The Revivalists, who opened the night with “It Was A Sin.”
It was a strong opening and the first sign that the band belonged on the bigger stage. Not only did the music fit the mood under the setting summer sun behind the looming skyline, but The Revivalists owned every corner of the stage. With seven members, it was obvious they’d fill the space, but the way they did so was impressive. The Revivalists turned an eclectic mix of New Orleans blues and jazz-funk into a high energy show.
Shaw repeatedly paced the small catwalk that extended into the crowd. He engaged the audience and slapped hands with everyone in the pit every other song. By “Monster,” six songs in, he had let his hair down signaling that he wasn’t holding back. Back on stage, Rob Ingraham spun his saxophone in circles all the while Michael Girardot showcased just how energetic a seated keyboardist could be, as he tilted his instrument onto one leg for the final notes in “Criminal.”
The Revivalists exuded tons of life, which the audience fed off of. There were few dull moments in the band’s 15-song set. Even the funky R&B jam “Need You” alongside the more upbeat tunes late in the set held it’s own and provided the punch needed to keep the night alive. As expected The Revivalists saved the best for last in “Wish I Knew You.” The standout single from the band’s 2015 release Men Against Mountains, provided fans with the cherry on top and there wasn’t a soul in the venue that didn’t know the song lyric for lyric. An overall entertaining experience, The Revivalists’ grit and warm melodies made for a nice night under the stars, and one that Charlotte surely wouldn’t mind experiencing again.
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