LIVE: ROANOKE – December 20, 2021

Venue: Jaeb Theatre inside Straz Center for the Performing Arts

City: Tampa, FL

Dates: December 20, 2021

Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (www.toddstarphotography.com)

If we have learned anything over the last 21+ months, it is expect the unexpected.  That was so true when I popped into the Jaeb Theatre in the Straz Center theatre complex to check out a duo performance from two members of the band Roanoke.  Having checked out the band through online music sources and through its social presence, I immediately dug into the catalog thanks to the pop-laced Americana vibe woven together with layered vocals and stripped back music that relied on songwriting instead of vocal and musical tricks.  Without any fanfare or special effects, the duo of Taylor Dupuis and Joey Beesley took their respective places on stage and proceeded to kick off the first of two sets on a Monday evening in Tampa.  As the pair made their way through song after song, the real magic of the evening was revealed when they made mention that all but about three songs from the evening were either new or previously unreleased tracks, which made it more fun to absorb the music.  Taylor’s lead vocals swirled with Joey’s guitars – both electric and acoustic – provided a lush tapestry for the lyrics to dance across and deliver stories of love, loss, and overall wonderment of living.  The use of harmonies and trading off vocals added depth to certain tracks and created layers that needed to be peeled back in others.  As each set wound down, the pair relied on Joey’s guitar work when Dupuis discarded her acoustic in order to add a bit of percussion via tambourine or just focus on delivering solid vocals.  This is the duo’s last show of 2021 and they promised new music to come in 2022, so we can all hope for another round of tour dates from these Nashville based musicians.  Be sure to watch their socials, purchase and download the available catalog (including my personal favorite “Where The Heart Runs” which made it into the set tonight, and wait for more shows to be announced so you can experience the same feel good vibe and music I heard and absorbed.

[Show as slideshow]

FULL SET OF ROANOKE PHOTOS HERE

ROANOKE LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

TOUR DATES

Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries