Brett Barest

Okay, first a couple of disclaimers here… The last time I wrote about “the future of the local music scene” in a headline, I was told that a bunch of people showed up to see artist “The Future” at The Radio Room that evening. If there is a band called the Youth Movement that people show up to see, I apologize in advance for anyone that does not read past the headline. Additionally, an “old favorite” does not necessarily mean “old”, just in case anyone might confuse this headline as me age shaming one of my friends.

I should probably learn to write better headlines to avoid the need for such disclaimers but I digress…

Saturday night at The Radio Room

As for the aforementioned youth movement, that comes in the form of Parris Bridge and Ill Intentions Saturday night at The Radio Room. Parris Bridge is an alternative/punk rock band who first grabbed my attention when they took home the Best New Artist award at the inaugural Upstate Music Awards last year. They have used that time since to further develop their sound and as they continue to mature, they further establish themselves as a big part of the future of the local music scene. Their 2019 debut EP Dreams was followed by their first full length album Mirrored Images and we can only hope that there is much more to look forward to in the years ahead.

For their part, Ill Intentions is an even newer modern rock band with a bright future of their own to keep an eye on. Their track “Pond Water” was a finalist for Best Single at this year’s UMA’s and was, in my mind at least, a strong contender for that prize (to be fair, they were up against local heavyweight Shyland Flowers, so there is that to consider). The band carries such strong throwback-to-the-1990’s undertones that I cannot help but feel nostalgic and refreshed by a new sound that is everything I want out of local music right now.

Indie rock band Mostly Here (who I admittedly need to hear more of) rounds out the evening for a solid Saturday night of up-and-coming Upstate rock bands. For only a $7 cover at the door, this is a bargain by any measure and a show you do not want to miss, provided good old fashioned rock & roll from emerging local artists is something that gets your motor running.

Speakeasy Sunday music series at Velo Fellow

Sunday serves up an entirely different sort of shenanigans when Donna Kay & the Carousers kick off their inaugural Speakeasy Sunday music series at The Velo Fellow in Downtown Greenville. Appearing with an all-star lineup of Kay on vocals, Jorge Garcia on guitar, and Robert Nance on bass, this appearance promises Prohibition-era music in arguably the best speakeasy setting Greenville has to offer. If a solid jazz brunch is your thing – and if you have a pulse and an appetite it most certainly should be – than this is the perfect Sunday Funday gig for you.

Find Over 80 Shows to See this Week

Check out these shows and a ton of others over at the iOnGreenville Upstate Live Music Calendar as you plan your weekend ahead. Support local music and the small businesses that host them and get out and enjoy the show. Have fun and celebrate the weekend safely and responsibly, Friends!