The Upstate Youth Movement is on Stage at The Radio Room
Parris Bridge at The Radio Room
After writing about the local music scene for six years, I cannot help but see a lot of familiar names on local marquees and event calendars. I see local artists that serve as anchors and mainstays of the local scene and I see touring artists that I recall having passed through once or twice a year as they build their brand across the country. Additionally – and more and more so lately – I am seeing newer and younger artists breaking onto the scene diligently honing their skills and drumming up followings of their very own. As luck would have it, it feels like damn near all of these younger acts are taking a turn on The Radio Room stage over the next three days.
Parris Bridge
The fun kicks off tonight when Parris Bridge, winners in the Best New Artist category at last year’s inaugural Upstate Music Awards, headlines an evening of hard rock with their friends Slackjaw and Wiltwither. This is a show of friends performing with friends as these bands share both passion and youth on the local scene. This is actually Slackjaw’s first official live performance after amassing over 30,000 followers and well over 200,000 views on their YouTube channel, which just goes to show that there are plenty of ways to make a name for your band in 2021 compared to “olden times”.
Friday night is an evening headlined by Luxx, which is a young band that I cannot ever sing the praises of enough. Their sound is my preferred brand of indie/alternative rock that embodies all of the raw emotional energy of youth. They are accompanied by The Planks, who I have yet to see live but their 2020 debut single “Trash Can” is a perfect self-deprecating, down-and-out garage rock track that I could listen to on repeat for longer than is probably healthy. I am excited to get a taste of the rest of their catalog, as well as to be introduced to Spartanburg’s Mean Sweetie who also shares the bill.
Lovely World
Another Spartanburg band headlines Saturday when Lovely World takes the stage with Ill Intentions and Nordista Freeze. This is more of the same young, indie-driven vibes of the rest of the weekend in all the best ways. If I am being honest, I am new to Lovely World but Ill Intentions has had my attention since they were nominated for Best New Artist at this year’s UMA’s and their track “Pond Water” took me right back to all the best sounds of the 1990’s alternative rock movement. Nordista Freeze is actually a Nashville-based artist passing through town and is a high-energy live performance that guarantees to set a special tone for the evening as the night’s opening act.
Mo Lowda & The Humble
