The NoDa district in Charlotte was the place to be on Thursday night.
The opportunities to support live music have grown significantly over the past few years throughout North Carolina but the NoDa (North Davidson) neighborhood in Charlotte has long been a hot spot for live entertainment. Housing multiple restaurants hosting a live band every now and again to arguably the best listening room in the state, The Evening Muse and Neighborhood Theatre – committed to bringing in countless national touring acts and locals each year – this area has become quite the destination.
Thursday proved to be such a night as the stars aligned for two of the best in the business – one a long-time stalwart in his music and troubadour stemming from Texas and another storyteller in his own right with more of a blues feel, by way of Alabama. Robert Earl Keen has been paving the way for decades, traveling around the country and is no stranger to the North Carolina market – booking four dates on this trip alone while Adam Hood hadn’t toured through in quite some time but was greeted with two shows at near capacity.
Hood began on Wednesday evening out in Surf City on the coast, before bringing The Sea, The Sea to perform ahead of him in Charlotte at The Evening Muse. Having only witnessed Hood play solo acoustic shows previously, his backing band and shift to an electric guitar brought an entirely different level of depth and sound to his songs. While the lyrics continue to tell the tales, it was an interesting change of pace and something that was well received by those in attendance.
Making his way through a few songs off his latest album, ‘Somewhere In Between’, released last October and some aged favorites, Hood’s soulful mix and laid back tone bring an easy listening feeling to even the most complex of subjects in his songs.
Across the street at Neighborhood Theatre, Darrin Bradbury earned a humorous introduction and jokingly lifted the spirits of an enthusiastic crowd. Once Robert Earl Keen walked on stage it was guaranteed to be a memorable evening listening to one of the greatest perform his own comedic interpretations and storied songs through a set list packed with many recognizable hits and a new song or two.
Keen visits quite frequently at different times of the year and never fails to entertain. On the second of four different dates this time around, REK and his band’s professionalism were on full display behind many years experience and too many live shows from which to draw inspiration to count. Knowing when to lead and then letting the audience take over singing the chorus and even verses back to him at times, watching one of his events is like watching any master of their craft. Appearing to effortlessly convey a two hour set that somehow manages to leave fans only wanting more.
Two great shows on one epic night happening just a few steps apart from one another.
Red Dirt NC 