16-Week Nashville Residency
Legendary Rockers Cheap Trick Surprise Packed House
NASHVILLE, TN – The Delta Rae Revival is upon us. As six North Carolina natives wove through the sold-out crowd to the stage in their new hometown of Nashville, it was clear this band knows how to make an entrance. During the first night (9/5) of their 16-week residency at The Basement, Delta Rae’s immersive musical experience offered robust performances and plenty of theatrics from the minute fans walked in the door. The band literally built out their set – both musically and structurally – transforming the space into a chapel complete with LED windows that alternated between howling elements of a thunderstorm and stained-glass silhouettes.
Openers Carrie Welling and Liz Longley set the tone before the Southern Gothic troupe took the room to church and the spiritual depths in between with the “No Dry Eye In The Chapel,” “Bottom of the River,” plus “No Peace in Quiet” and “A Long and Happy Life” from their Valory Music Co. EPs. Often trading lead vocals, Liz Hopkins and Brittany Holljes poured their souls into belting out each song alongside Eric Holljes (piano) and Ian Holljes (guitar), who also took their turn in the spotlight as Mike McKee (drums) and Grant Emerson (bass) fueled the room’s palpable energy. Delta Rae’s 75-minute set also included fan favorite “If I Loved You” and “Hands Dirty,” a newer song the self-proclaimed feminists proudly sing for all the ladies who have had to fight for a place in this world. Delta Rae created a world of light versus dark with a dichotomy of sounds and aesthetics as lanterns flickered and thunderstorms brewed. From the start to the finish, Delta Rae came to slay trading stratospheric vocals and group clapping while captivating the audience on rare hushed moments.
Hall of Fame rockers Cheap Trick joined Delta Rae for “I Want You to Want Me” and “Surrender,” continuing the sing-a-long vibe of the night.
The Revival moves into its second week Wednesday September 12 with Delta Rae being joined in performance by The Last Bandoleros and Drake White. On sale now at DeltaRae.com, tickets are $10 with a limited amount available online and the remainder sold first-come-first-serve at the door. Special guests will continue to pop up each week and will be teased over the band’s social media. More opening acts will be announced through the fall and already include Austin Jenckes, Adam Wakefield, Baylor Wilson, Carolina Story, Carolina Glaser, Chloe Gilligan, Dallas Caroline, Emma Hern, Hannah Dasher, Jaden Michaels, Jillette Johnson, Josh Jenkins, Joel Levi, Kalie Shorr, Katie Cole, Kitty Hawk, Lainey Wilson, Lauren Jenkins, Levon, Payton Smith, Sarahbeth Taite, Southern Avenue, The Last Bandoleros and The Redhill Valleys.