Venue: U.S. Nationwide Whitewater Middle
Metropolis: Charlotte, NC
Dates: August 28, 2026
Evaluate and Images by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (www.toddstarphotography.com)
As summer season involves a detailed, I discovered myself protecting one other new to me band at one other new to me venue… and what a venue. The U.S. Nationwide Whitewater Middle is an precise white water rafting middle that has quite a lot of open house, together with a stage and space they name the River Jam. Enhancing the expertise of a cool venue was a band that was making its first Charlotte look. Nashville-based Parker Barrow rolled into city and planted themselves on the River Jam stage for 2 units of killer music that ignited the group and left me wanting extra earlier than the night time was over. From the minute the band hit the stage, it was nothing however nice tunes and wonderful stage presence. After assembly him briefly earlier than the present, I couldn’t wait to see drummer Dylan Turner behind his package doing his factor, however that may take a couple of minutes. Because the band took their spots on stage, you couldn’t assist however discover the Joyful Birthday balloon on stage. Guitarist and band musical director Alex Bender would have a good time his particular night with a garden stuffed with music lovers on the lookout for an gratifying night out underneath the setting solar and ultimately stars. He was quickly flanked to his left by bassist Kyle Priber they usually completely anchored stage left collectively over the course of the night. Holding down among the melody on the opposite aspect of the stage was guitarist Will Tipton and Eric Safka, whose keyboards have been parked on the entrance fringe of the stage. The band moved completely by songs from the band’s catalog, with heavy illustration from their July 2026 launch Maintain The Mash.
Holding the whole lot collectively from middle stage was singer Megan Kane and drummer Dylan. The husband-and-wife duo helped full the puzzle that was the proper mix of blues, southern rock, soul, and rock. I can’t rave sufficient about Megan’s voice and the best way she appeared to manage the circulate of the present and preserve the vibe optimistic from behind the mic. The band packed quite a lot of tracks into their two units, with the primary being the higher half in my view. Beng an enormous fan of Maintain The Mash, I jumped into the musical panorama of the opening set. That includes six tracks (of the primary 9 performed tonight) from that launch, it was straightforward for me to slip proper into the music and groove whereas photographing the set after which easing again and simply having fun with the sonic journey the band supplied. The opening trio of songs pulled from the brand new launch – “Nothin’ Left to Save,” “Blinded,” and “Novocaine” – created the proper storm of rock and blues to kick begin the night. It’s as if the band break up the entrance portion of their present into thirds with the center part that includes tracks from earlier releases being sandwiched between new materials. After the ultimate notes of “Ruby’s Reckoning” drifted into the night from the venue’s sound system, the band took a quick break. Whereas the group was in fixed change mode as a result of outside nature of the venue, there was no much less enthusiasm for the band after they took the stage as soon as once more to maintain the music flowing. Whereas the musicianship was spot on and the band got here out firing on all cylinders, it appeared extra relaxed and extra of a jam fashion which isn’t my cup of tea. Don’t misunderstand – this didn’t flip me off to Parker Barrow… if something they made me take a while and lean into what they needed to supply us for the rest of the night. If I realized something tonight, it’s that it is best to take possibilities on new venues and bands while you get the chance. You simply could uncover your subsequent favourite new band, simply as I did on a late August Saturday night time.
COMPLETE SET OF PARKER BARROW PHOTOS
PARKER BARROW LINKS:
Class: Dwell Critiques, Photograph Galleries
Concerning the Creator (Creator Profile)
ToddStar – that is me… only a rocking accountant who had desires of being a rock star. I get to do the subsequent smartest thing to rocking the globe – I get to take photos of the fortunate ones that do. I like to shoot all genres of music and several types of performers. Whether it is associated to music, I like to {photograph} it. I get to shoot and dangle with not solely a few of my associates and idols, however among the coolest individuals round immediately.
