Concert Review: Lake Street Dive take over Nashville

By: Dylan Basden

Lake Street Dive mark their largest headlining show in Nashville to date with a night of celebration, love, and downright fun, groovy music.

Only the band’s second trip to Nashville in five years, fans were more than eager to see what Lake Street had been cooking up. Out in support of their new album, Good Together, the band has found new life in their sixth studio album. Building on their past sounds, it wasn’t a hot take too go into their tour expecting something fresh and exciting.

Taking the stage to “You Make My Dreams (Come True)” by Hall & Oates, the night had already erupted into dance before they had even strummed a chord. Wasting absolutely no time, the quintet quickly jumped into “Good Together” followed shortly by “Hypotheticals,” the former of which featured the Huntertones trio as a horn section, a trait that would pop up throughout the show. Frontwoman Rachael Price obviously took centerstage, her jazzy take on classical vocal pop stylings had no trouble reeling in the audience. Notably, on “Hypotheticals,” Rachael seems to effortlessly add a suave, yet oddly ethereal, layer to her vocal melody. Paired together with the rest of the band’s intricate instrumentation, ranging from Bridget Kearney’s warm, delicate playing on upright bass to Akie Bermiss’ tasteful use of synthesized organ; the band’s compositions feel simultaneously tightly thought out and organic.

I’ve never seen a band so dramatically embrace a since past aesthetic while maintaining a fresh, modern sound. Large, arching light fixtures, vibrant pinks, teals, and oranges, and a splash of mid-century décor simulated the design of retro TV concerts. Even the band’s stage wear, uniform in design philosophy but distinct in execution, highlighted a golden, lavish flair that was so sought after in the era. This, as you’d expect, bled heavily into the band’s music, with sounds ranging from 60’s folk, refined jazz, and early British Invasion vocal pop, all being formed into a concoction that, when paired with modern production, provides a wonderfully cheery, but rhythmically complex, offering.

Guitarist James Cornelison was not shy when it came to mixing up the band’s arrangements, adding a blistering, hazy, distortion overtop and mighty guitar solo on “Making Good.” Despite the pivot, it wouldn’t be the only change in as many songs, with “Show Pony” returning to the band’s setlist after many years away. Not only this, but the band brought it in for an acoustic number, featuring some eclectic mixes of tambourine and melodica. This is also where fans were treated to a showcase on background vocals and harmonies, with the band expertly executing sounds that almost sound too perfect to have been done live Infront of thousands of spectators. 

Ultimately, it was the band’s earnest love of performing that sold me over. Lake Street Dive should stick with music, because their poker faces are severely lacking. It was a night of constant smiling, as you’d be greatly mistaken in thinking that this wasn’t what each of these performers was made for. This energy bounced from the stage to the audience, feeding into the crowd in what ultimately became a feedback loop, propelling the band further and further through the night. It is rare to see this level of emotion in a live set.

Front to back, Lake Street Dive delivered. Their music is fantastic, their stage design is fantastic, and their performance is fantastic. These folks are clear pros, an obvious comment given this was an amphitheater show, but in this instance, I mean it doubly as so. I don’t see a world where someone could have attended this concert and not have had a great night. This is a show well worth seeing and well worth your dollar, go check out Lake Street Dive when they come to town.

View the full gallery shot by Dylan here.