Now that’s the way to end a season of music. All summer long local music promoter Vusic has been bringing some of the best touring bands to the Outer Banks to play at Roanoke Island Festival Park.
Tonight the season ended with what by any standards was a spectacular evening of music.
Leading off was Gov’t. Mule with Warren Haynes on lead guitar. Haynes is a legend on guitar, played with the Allman Brothers band after Duane Allman died, and has gone on to perform with some of the biggest names in blues and rock.
Gov’t Mule didn’t disappoint either with a strong set with really tight arrangements, a bit of a jazz flavor to some of what they were doing handsome amazing musicianship.
But Trombone Shorty stole the evening. What he brings to the stage is great music, an unbelievable amount of energy and an amazing show. It’s not so much that he has written a script for what is on stage, rather, there are choreographed moments, Shorty himself bounces around the state with an energy level that hard to imagine, and the music is a pulsing, compelling blend of jazz, hiphop and R&B.
An absolutely amazing show.
One of the things that really made it stand out is how much effort he puts into making sure everyone the musicians in his band gets a chance to shine…and there are ten of them. Well, eight, because the two drummers didn’t get a solo.
He hails from New Orleans, and fittingly he ended the night with a great upbeat tribute to the classic songs of the city. “When the Saints Go Marching in” and “A Closer Walk with Thee.”
The Vusic music series ran from May thought the show tonight. All show were at the Roanoke Island Festival Park outdoor amphitheater—about a perfect a setting for an outdoor concert as could be.
Next up on the major music scene is the Duck Jazz Festival. Second weekend in October. That’s followed by the Outer Banks Bluegrass Festival. Be sure to make your home away from home reservations with Brindley Beach Vacations as soon as possible.