End of summer rain dance with St. Paul & The Broken Bones

St. Paul & The Broken Bones have been on my watch list for a couple years now. From the moment I listened to them, I was hooked on the gospel voice of Alabama native and lead singer, Paul Janeway. Typically, a lead vocalist can either make or break a band, and in this instance, he certainly makes it.

The sold-out show took place at The Fountain Plaza @ The Music Factory. You’re probably thinking – OK, I’ve been there, where the heck is that? The organizers of this event orchestrated a makeshift stage in the initial area approaching the factory. Sandwiched between Texi-Cali and Eight Sushi, this made for an extremely cozy setting for this soulful group – and I wouldn’t have expected it to be any less intimate.

As we approached the venue after arriving via Uber, we noticed that the line was wrapped all the way around the gate and bleeding into the Small Bar patio. Like, whoa. I knew this band was awesome, but I didn’t know they had such a following.

It started to sprinkle as opener Alanna Royale took the stage. Her high-energy and soul rock sound were reminiscent of a modern Diana Ross, and she owned the stage with her confidence and humor.

While we were waiting for SP&TBB to take the stage, an announcer came out to speak to the audience. Turns out, this event was the End of Summer Southern Social and all proceeds went to Charlotte SPCA. As I looked around, I began to notice the little details that made this a true “Southern” event. Price’s Chicken Coop had a food stand, and the only beer available was PBR. I was a little disappointed at first, but after being offered a PBR can in a brown bag coozie, (yes friends, this is a thing), I became an instant fan of the ironically witty brand.

After a short speech from the MC and a moon pie toss, the band members approached the stage. I could see Paul behind the stage pacing, waiting for the exact right moment to come out and hypnotize the anxious crowd with his smooth voice.

I took along three friends with me to the show who knew nothing about the group. They had listened to a few songs but were just along for the ride. As soon as Paul joined the stage and sang one high pitched note of Don’t Mean a Thing, I saw the surprised reaction on my friends’ faces. He continued and I became ecstatic to be surrounded by people that could understand the talent that this band brings to an otherwise disappointing music generation.

The rain had been off and on for a bit and we were becoming hopeful that it had passed just in time for the headliner. We quickly realized that we were wrong as it started to downpour. St. Paul played most songs of their only album, Half the City, as we gleefully danced in the rain. Highlights included a mellowed down I’m Tore Up and a high energy Call Me.

Halfway through the set, Paul announced that they had just played on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, sharing the stage with one of his idols, Mavis Staples. We also learned that they recently opened for the Rolling Stones. It made me happy to see that this small town band was really making it big in the music scene, and yet still made an effort to headline at a small fundraiser show.

The group encored with a Beatles cover of I Want You (She’s So Heavy), which might have been the most perfect choice for the ending. I was soaked, musically satisfied, and smiling that St. Paul had gained three+ new fans that night.

If you’ve never danced to an amazing band in the pouring rain with your friends by your side, and a brown bag coozie covered PBR in your hand, then you haven’t lived. OK, thats an overstatement, but it probably means you haven’t lived in the South. A big, brown bag cheers to you, St. Paul! We hope you come back and grace us with your presence again someday.