This past month brought a host of unique and great concerts to Charleston. In order, I took in the 2019 version of Experience Hendrix, Hootie and the Blowfish, the Mavericks, day one of the Charleston Bluegrass festival, and Bob Weir and the Wood Bros. Since they were great and unique performances, it seems unfair to highlight just one or two. I decided that I have something to say about each show.  I hope that these artists come to your corner of the country soon as each show was worth seeing

 First up was the latest Experience Hendrix offering. I first saw this production back in 2012 at the Performing Arts Center here in North Charleston and was blown away by the quality and quantity of great performers assembled on one stage. This program brings together great artists, paying homage to the musical influence of Jimi’s amazing guitar playing, for more than three hours.

This year saw regulars Billy Cox (Jimi’s original bassist), Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Mato Najii, Zakk Wyld and Johnny Lang joined by  Dave Mustane and Joe Satriani. The Slide Brothers added lap steel along with drummers Chris Layton (Stevie Ray Vaughn) and Kenny Aaronoff (Mellencamp among others) with Henri Brown on vocals. They performed two sets of popular Hendrix hits and rarities along with and a few cover tunes that Jimi performed in his own unique style. The highlight of this show, for me, was Zakk Wylde’s performance. He is a monster heavy metal guitarist and is known to leave the stage, performing in the audience to an appreciative crowd. We sat in the fourth row of the upper area of this 2300 seat arena and Zakk’s chord was able to reach us! He wailed on the guitar as an appreciative audience caught it live on their phones, feet away from the action. Having now seen three performances over the last seven years, I can heartily endorse this show if it comes anywhere near you.

Hootie and the Blowfish are preparing for their first full-scale tour in 20 years and took the stage at the intimate Charleston Music Hall for a 90-minute private performance for a group of collegiate golfers and supporters. Hootie has been sponsoring a collegiate golf tournament at nearby private Bulls Bay Golf course for years. Tickets were distributed to all of the participating teams and supporters along with friends of the band. The Blowfish sounded great and are prepared for this summer’s cross-country tour. If your plans are to see them this summer with the Barenaked Ladies, you won’t be disappointed.

The next night, the Mavericks returned to the Music Hall for their third visit in the last four years. These guys have been performing for the last thirty years and they always bring the party with them. I wrote about them back in October 2017 in a blog titled, “There’s a Party Going on at the Mavericks Show.” For my money, they are one of the greatest acts I have witnessed, consistently giving the audience their money’s worth. If you are not familiar with their music, check them out on your favorite streaming service and dial up this band. You too will be a convert.

The fifth annual Charleston Bluegrass festival was held at the Charleston Woodlands, a pristine patch of land surrounded by lakes in the heart of the Plantation district of Charleston. There were two dozen bands over two days, headlined by Town Mountain on the second night and well represented by local bands. Dr. Eddie White, the founder of Awendaw Green, is the Bill Graham of Bluegrass music in this area. There are lots of Bluegrass Festivals around the country and are worth looking into; but this one was inexpensive ($15-20 daily tickets), in a pleasant setting and offered up a varied lineup each day. Bottom line, support local music. It gives back way more than it costs.

That brings me to the last show of the month, Bob Weir (Grateful Dead/Dead and Company) and the Wolf Bros. This ensemble consisted of Weir on acoustic and electric rhythm guitar, Don Was on bass and Jay Lane on the drums. This side project made North Charleston the final stop of their spring tour. We were treated to a two and one-half hour, two set show. The band featured classic Grateful Dead tunes, a few Bob Weir classics, and several well-chosen covers. Just when a Deadhead believes that they have heard it all, here comes the Wolf Bros. The three instrument arrangement gave us novel interpretations of the songs most Deadheads cherish. The sparse arrangements were designed to showcase the vulnerability of each musician while the songs themselves challenged the trio to explore new ways to say what has been said countless times before by the Grateful Dead family of musicians. This act won’t be seen much this year but would be well worth catching them if they’re anywhere near where you live.

What shows that you attended this past March was memorable for you? We would love if you would share your experiences with our audience. Give us the details in the reply box below.

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