Last Saturday, Lake Street Dive brought a masterclass in musicianship, energy, and community. With Trousdale and St. Paul & The Broken Bones setting the stage, the evening unfolded like a carefully crafted mixtape—warm, groovy, and joyous.
Trousdale, a rising trio out of Los Angeles, kicked off the night with crisp harmonies that caught the attention of early concert-goers braving the Florida mugginess. Their blend of pop, folk, and indie-soul felt both refreshing and timeless. They easily won over the hearts of the crowd with their modest charm, perfectly setting the stage for the rest of the night.
If Trousdale eased the audience in, St. Paul & The Broken Bones kicked the energy into high gear. Frontman Paul Janeway, with his flamboyant stage presence and powerhouse voice, and the band’s horn section blasting funky grooves that echoed back to their soul roots, they certainly got the crowd going. Anyone could have easily mistaken them for the headliners by way of audience cheers. For the only night featured on this tour, St. Paul & The Broken Bones turned the amphitheatre into a church of rhythm and release, leaving a strong impression on anyone previously unfamiliar with the artist.
Finally, Lake Street Dive took to the stage, diving straight into fan favorites “Good Together” and “Stop Your Crying” that showcased their versatility. With their infectious, upbeat sound, nobody could resist dancing. The top of the class musicianship overlayed with Rachael Price’s voice, a soulful instrument in and of itself, showcased their defining sound.
The band worked through a career-spanning setlist, balancing hits from each era of the band. Longtime fans would appreciate that Bad Self Portraits, celebrating ten years since its release, was represented in the setlist nearly as much as their most recent full-length album, Good Together. Their chemistry was undeniable—years of touring together evident in the way they seamlessly transitioned from a full stage, full band setup to a center stage acoustic set. Huddled together and singing stripped back versions of songs like “How Good It Feels” and their cover of “I Want You Back” by The Jackson 5, they transformed an amphitheatre show into a dive bar stage with an intimate sound to match. Throughout the set, each band member got to have their moment in the spotlight, whether it was the battle of the strings between James Cornelison and Bridget Kearney, a silky smooth piano or vocals solo from Akie Bermiss, or the rare but respected vocal performance from drummer Mike Calabrese. They closed out their set and sent their fans out into the night with the triumphant, empowering fan favorite, “Good Kisser.”
From Trousdale’s brilliant harmonies, to St. Paul & The Broken Bones’ fiery showmanship, to Lake Street Dive’s dynamic headlining set, the night was a perfect showcase of modern soul’s many faces.
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