LIVE: LETTUCE / GALACTIC – February 24, 2018

Venue: Saint Andrews Hall

City: Detroit, MI

Date: February 24, 2018

Review and Photographs by: Kevin Alfredo

The Definition of Funk, as defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary: 1. music that combines elements of rhythm and blues and soul music and that is characterized by a percussive vocal style, static harmonies, and a strong bass line with heavy downbeats.  2: the quality or state of being funky.  I can attest, without a doubt, that Galactic and Lettuce qualified both definitions in their visit to a sold-out St. Andrew’s Hall in Detroit, MI.  Each band showcased their respective brands of funk: Galactic, a New Orleans style funk band, and, Lettuce, a jam/electronica infused funk band, hailing from Boston.  Having both bands on the same bill provided for a musical journey that, while established in the same art form, were two truly unique experiences.

Galactic was the first act to perform, and played a solid one hour set.  Most of the set featured Erica Falls on lead vocals, providing her wide-ranging vocals (“Higher and Higher”), while also making sure to draw the crowd in for a good time, invoking call backs (“Dolla Diva”) and hand claps (“Clap Your Hands”).  Each member of Galactic is so established in their respective art.  I especially enjoyed watching Stanton Moore whaling on the kit, and Ben Ellman belting out that sax.  I must say, yours truly has spent many a night in some hot, sticky joints in NOLA watching these guys go at it, and it never gets old.  Further, their rotating lead vocalist spot allows the band to provide a fresh sound, from House Man, to Cyril Neville, to Cory Glover (originally of the band Living Colour) and now Erica Falls.

Lettuce followed up with a massive set, and had the crowd bouncing from the get go.  Lead by the established bass workings of Erick “Jesus” Coomes, Lettuce demonstrated the ability to put the crowd into a trance with songs that were so well intermingled.  Having mostly seen Lettuce at music festivals such as Lockn’, it was refreshing to get to see them in a tight venue such as St. Andrews, where the crowd had more of an influence on the aura.  And, this night, St. Andrew’s was absolutely packed, with folks spilling out into the front vestibule…all of which were ready for a Saturday night party.

Each of these bands bring decades of musical experience to the stage, with both bands launching in the early to mid 90’s.  Resulting from the wide span of stylings and longevity was a diverse crowd, from old hippies to younger millennials, and from black to white and all folks in between.  It’s good that we can rely on music to do that in a world that can sometimes seem as divided as ever…

LETTUCE LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

GALACTIC LINKS:

​​​​​​​OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries