The Driver Era and VALE' visits Charlotte, North Carolina on their 'Obsession' Tour

VALE’

On a hot Sunday night, the Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre was filled with anticipation as fans gathered to see The Driver Era. But before the main act, the crowd was treated to an electrifying surprise: an exceptional performance by rising singer-songwriter Valé. Valé is from Barranquilla, Colombia. She lit up the stage with her infectious energy, opening with the song “bololo.” The audience couldn’t help but move to the rhythm, and even the venue staff near the stage were nodding along to the beat. She then transitioned into, “¡todo bien, valentina!,” a great intro to her set and who she is as an artist. The lyrics, “Todo bien it's all good, I'm ridin' low through Hollywood, So if you ask me how I'm feelin', what you think? I'm Valentina” were so addicting.

VALE's music effortlessly blends Spanish and English lyrics with R&B and Pop influences, creating a vibrant, genre-defying sound. Highlights from her set included energetic tracks like “fit mami” and “oop,” where she effortlessly fused her Colombian roots with modern Pop sounds. Her music would be great at the club, as a mood booster, or on a playlist for the gym. Her entire set was the perfect way to kick off the night. Despite the sweltering heatwave, there wasn’t a dull moment. Valé had everyone in the venue moving, setting the tone for the high-energy evening that followed.

The Driver Era

The Driver Era opened the night with their song, “Touch.” The stage was covered by a curtain throughout the song and the anticipation was palpable. When the curtain dropped, they performed, “Better,” and “You Keep Me Up At Night.” The stage setup was immersive and visually mesmerizing, anchored by a massive screen displaying cinematic footage. A vintage payphone stood in front of the screen, adding to the atmosphere. At one point, the visuals made singer, Ross Lynch, appear stranded in a desert, enhancing the storytelling of the set.

They sang a mix of new songs from their album, ‘Obsession,’ and songs from older albums, ‘X’ and ‘Girlfriend.’ No matter the era, the crowd knew every word-belting out the lyrics to both new songs and throwbacks. One of the highlights of the set was the surprise performance of the song “Cruisin’ for a Bruisin’” from ‘Teen Beach’ Movie, a movie Ross Lynch starred in while he was an actor. The venue filled with nostalgia and many people were attempting the iconic choreography from the movie.

Another highlight of the set was the stripped-down version of their popular song, “Afterglow.” It was a great, acoustic rendition of the song that highlighted the tropical vibes and lyrics of the song. They closed out the main set with, “Don’t Take The Night,” which was full of electrifying energy and was the perfect closer for the set. As they left the stage, the fans were anticipating more, hoping for a few more songs.

As the fans were chanting for more, the band stepped back out on stage. They had a stacked encore, including, “Rumors,” “Get Off My Phone,” and “A Kiss.” All three of these songs were action packed, at one-point Rocky Lynch going down to the barricade to play his guitar amongst the fans. Overall, The Driver Era made an unforgettable night for their Charlotte fans. Their song shit differently when performed live, giving them an entire new feel. There are a few shows left of this can’t miss tour-for more information, visit The Driver Era’s website.

Coverage by Drayton Peterson // Instagram: @draytonsphotos

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