The Beech Mountain Resort Summer Concert Series delivered a communal experience of love and positivity on stage Saturday, June 10, 2023 with The Revivalists and opener, Son Little.
Son Little, an unexpected treat, opened the night with his singer-songwriter set of soul minimalism. The simplicity of only three instruments, guitar, keyboard, and drum kit made the sincerity and emotion of his lyrics shine bright. His slow-boil sensuality recalls notions of adolescent love and overflowing euphoria. Couples throughout the audience were hugging and swaying in sync, auditorily blessed, watching Little lose himself in his own songs, eyes closed, biting his lip, and twisting his face through every guitar riff he played. The crowd were locked in, feeling every note.
With a sharp but welcome contrast, The Revivalists hit the stage full-throttle with a G-force snap-back to Fun Land. The full-band sound immediately began conjuring pumping fists and bouncing bodies throughout the crowd. This 8-member powerhouse band brought their New Orleans second-line parade to the NC mountains, and all the jazz, spontaneity, and unity that comes with it. To The Revivalists, music is a communal collaboration.
Lead singer David Shaw interacted with the crowd all set long, as if he wanted all to join the musical parade. While the entire band is filled with seasoned performers, Shaw is a true professional front man. He delivered each song with full voice, fully body, and full spirit, reading the people, and giving each of them what they want. He sang to individual fans in the audience with as much passion as the entire crowd had for him. I still can't shake the strong impression from that evening that Shaw deeply needs to be heard. I watched him reach out and physically connect while singing. The nightcap encore performance of "Soul Fight" gave the audience a lull-a-bye farewell, bringing it back full-circle to that collective sway. Only this time, the crowd was filled with kids sitting on dads' shoulders, showing us the unity in community. We were loved, we were rocked, then we were charmed.
Although it is known for its winter slopes, don't sleep on Beech Mountain's summer music program. The natural amphitheater setting is acoustical gold, and the stage just beneath the horizon serves up the evening sky in full array. As of now, it's still a small laid-back place that draws a healthy mix of people from all walks of life - pork skins & Prada, tie-dye & Stetsons, limos and mud-crusted trucks, and neighbors from 3-85 years old. With an impressive lineup this summer, Beech Mountain is sure to become a highly sought-after venue in the coming seasons.
Review: Libby O'Daniel
Photos: Tim Hobert
