The first time I learned of and wrote about The Blackfoot Gypsies was in the winter of 2016 when they played at The Independent Public Ale House at the corner of Rutherford Road and Poinsett Highway. This Friday, nearly four years to the day later, they are playing at The Radio Room at the corner of Rutherford Road and Poinsett Highway. The more things change, the more they stay the same, as they say.
For their part, The Blackfoot Gypsies are essentially still the same badass, in your face, rock and blues band that I fell in love with four years ago. The Nashville based band is everything I want out of my rock & roll – stripped down, unapologetically loud, and with anything-but-subtle blues undertones. It is music that might have been right at home in the late 1960’s or 1970’s but I am much happier having them right here in the present.
The Blackfoot Gypsies have released two albums since I first sang their praises in another publication years ago. 2017’s To the Top was their second full-length studio album and wasfollowed by Live at the Basement which was just released this past New Year’s Eve to celebrate the band’s 10 year anniversary. To the Top opens in unapologetically vintage rock & roll fashion with “I’m so Blue” and “Everybody’s Watching” before later slowing it down with a decidedly bluesy track in “Potatoes & Whisky” which is arguably one of the album’s strongest songs. Live at the Basement captures the band’s biggest strength – the live show – performing all of the best parts of To the Top and the band’s first release Handle It, which is a phenomenal album in its own right. If you can listen to Live at the Basement and not want to see this band live immediately, get your pulse (and possibly soul) checked at your earliest convenience.
The Blackfoot Gypsies will be joined by a couple of local acts more than worthy of your attention. Seven Year Witch will bring their brand of modern hard rock while SESH brings a psychedelic, indie rock vibe to kick off the evening. All three of these bands can be had for a mere $10 in advance or $12 at the door – both incredible bargains for the amount of talent it buys you.
While this is definitely (in my opinion at least) the must see show of the weekend, there are ton of other shows to consider on the iOnGreenville Live Music Calendar to suit whatever your musical tastes are looking for. Saturday alone offers up the likes of Southern rock jam band Freeway Jubilee at Gottrocks, gypsy rock with Wasted Wine at Eighth State Brewing Company, and rockabilly with Little Lesley & the Bloodshots at Velo Fellow. Wherever you end up, enjoy yourself, drink responsibly, and keep on supporting all the great live music the local music scene has to offer.
Upstate Live Music Calendar
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