Show review: The Freeway Revival

Photo by Katie Souris

It might be a song about dying, but The Freeway Revival‘s cover of “Whipping Post” — performed last Saturday night during the local band’s show — brought The Allman Brothers’ legacy to life. In fact, the five member band, led by a songwriting brother duo, seemed to channel the soul-filled history of rock ‘n’ roll. At the same time both the group’s covers and originals were fresh and dynamic, with a set list full of roiling guitar melodies and piano riffs that covered country to blues.

The Freeway Revival, like opener The Dirty Soul Revival, warmly thanked the crowd and The Mothlight, which hosted. The audience showed its love right back, smiling and dancing in ones and twos. Keith Harry on bass jumped and swayed while vocalist Adam Clayton on piano rose to his feet during the raging solos. Drummer Mike McCue and the crowd shed layer after layer of winter garb as the room heated up with dancing. The covers, from Al Green to Merle Haggard, reminded of how songs can carry our feelings collectively through generations.

The Freeway Revival has released two records and is gearing up for a tour up the Northeast. The band of Asheville boys paid tribute to the way a song can live forever, filled with as much passion, love, and raw feeling as the moment it was born. The group’s originals were upbeat and high-energy with a natural and honest feel.

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About Katie Souris
artist, writer, and lover of all things out of doors. Enjoys dancing indoors or out.

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