'Long Hair, Long Life': A Night with BNNY, Briston Maroney, and Peach Pit in Charlotte, North Carolina
Briston Maroney and Peach Pit brought their co-headlining tour, ‘Long Hair, Long Life,’ to Charlotte, North Carolina at the Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre on a hot June night. The venue was packed and buzzing with energy as fans gathered to experience a night of indie rock.
BNNY
Opening the night was Chicago-based Indie band, BNNY, who set the tone with a haunting, Dream-Pop set. They kicked off their set with the song “Let Me Be Your Dog,” entrancing the crowd from the start. Their stage was adorned by a couple of little bunny stuffed animals, a nod to their band name. Midway through their set, they surprised the crowd with a dreamy cover of Weezer’s “Undone (The Sweater Song),” which was a true crowd pleaser. Their mellow vibe was the perfect prelude to the night to come.
BRISTON MARONEY
Knoxville, Tennessee singer-songwriter, Briston Maroney, bounded onto the stage with infectious energy, taking the crowd by surprise. He opened the set with “Real Good Swimmer,” from his new album ‘JIMMY,’ an intense opener that was the perfect start. His authentic and raspy vocals were even more crisp live. He followed with “Paradise,” “Small Talk,” and “Tomatoes.” This mixture of old and new songs proved the fans were ready for anything not missing a single word, nor beat, despite the heat.
A highlight of the set is when Maroney slowed it down with the song “Land of Light.” He surprised the crowd with Dougal Mclean from Peach Pit, who accompanied him on violin. The song focuses on perspective and what happens at the end of life. It is a reflective, awe-inspiring song that offered a quiet reflection amid the energy of the set.
Another highlight of the set was the performance of the song “The View.” As Maroney sang the lyric, “Run around in circles ‘til I find myself a brand new way to run around in circles,” he quite literally ran in circles around the stage, bringing the line to life with a burst of chaotic humor. He then called out for a guitar, prompting a crew member to appear onstage. Instead of handing the instrument over, the crew member began to play it himself, sparking an electric reaction from the crowd.
As his set came to an end, he played his well known hit, “Freakin’ Out On The Interstate,” the song that first put him on a lot of people’s radars. The crowd did not miss a beat everyone was locked in, shouting the lyrics like they had been waiting for that moment their entire lives. People held hands and danced, wrapped up in a song that had soundtracked so many of their own stories.
PEACH PIT
Keeping the high energy going, Vancouver based band, Peach Pit, opened their set with the intro of “War Pigs” by Black Sabbath. This opening segued into their song, “Magpie.” This was a surprising choice that had the whole barricade shaking. They immediately followed this powerful opener with the fan favorite songs “Drop The Guillotine,” and “Black Licorice,” keeping the audience hooked since forming in 2014. Peach Pit has quietly grown from a local Vancouver band that formed in high school, into an Indie band with a devoted following. Their music walks a line between catchy and laid back to authentic and upbeat hits. Frontman Neil Smith’s laidback charisma and dry humor filled the gaps between songs, making the set feel personal and genuine.
The chemistry between the band members was palpable, displaying how connected they are after all of the years they have spent playing together. Midway through their set, they surprised the crowd with the song “What Once Was” by the Liverpool duo, Her’s, a moving nod to a group whose music left a lasting mark on the scene. The performance struck a chord of nostalgia, and fans swayed and sang along. It was touching to see so many people come together in that moment, sharing something that felt so personal and reflective. They seamlessly blended this song with “Techno Show,” which was a cohesive and impressive mashup.
As the night came to an end, Peach Pit sang more of their hits, including “Alrighty Aphrodite,” “Shampoo Bottles,” and “Private Presley.” This preceded their encore, which began with Neil returning to the stage for a solo version of their self-titled song, “Peach Pit.” To close out the show, the rest of the band rejoined him for “Tommy’s Party,” a classic song that brought the night full circle with its familiar warmth. ‘The Long Hair, Long Life’ tour offered a night of live music that connected the crowd with artists that they’ve loved for years. BNNY opened the night with a relaxing and mesmerizing set, leaving the crowd with a new favorite band.
Briston Maroney brought a dynamic range of emotion and energy, firing up the crowd and setting the stage for Peach Pit. Closing the night, Peach Pit delivered a laid-back, nostalgic performance that held the venue in the palm of its’ hands. Overall, it was a great night of live music, reminding fans the power of seeing their favorite artists live,
Coverage by Drayton Peterson // Instagram: @draytonsphotos
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