Published Sunday, May 1, 2011 By amanda_caines. Under Editor : Jenny Lou Bement, Show Review, The Evening Muse, Writer: Amanda Caines Tags: Amanda Caines, charlotte, concert review, music, nc, Pop, punk, relaunch, rock, The Evening Muse, The Stellas
It’s such a shame to see good bands die, and The Stellas’ Farewell Show April 23 at The Evening Muse birthed yet another casualty to the fair-weather friend called the music business. Since 2007 The Stellas have played some fantastic shows, taking their music not just in Charlotte and all over the Carolinas, but all over the world. The Stellas seized the opportunity to tour in Asia and the Middle East, playing for U.S. troops back in 2009, which was not only quite an experience for the band, but was also a nifty treat for the fans back home to read about and to see photos from their adventures overseas. Even the most interesting, well-traveled, catchy-song-writing band brothers, however, may eventually have to part ways. Sad day.
As the fans awaited The Stellas’ set, it was almost as if the air in The Evening Muse that night was the dirt piling on top of the coffin, spoonful by bittersweet spoonful. Fans stood in pensive anticipation, eyes downcast in their beverages, voices lacking the usual boisterous quality that comes along with concert-going. Adam Middleton (vocals, guitar), Shaun McFall (guitar, vocals), Josh Knight (bass) and Jacob Worden (drums) haunted the bar, downing a few brewskis with a sidecar of melancholy before their set. Beer bottles soon became amp décor, and The Stellas’ final set began.
As if a fog had lifted, the room came to life to the sounds of dark pop-rock that could only be mastered by a group of seasoned musicians. Despite not having played a show in over six months, these guys still brought on the rock with post-grunge virtuosity. One of the best things about The Stellas is their ability to take lyrics about some pretty distressing subjects and make them seem more palatable and almost cheerful through catchy melodies backed by high-energy drums and guitar riffage. Some songs sounded just like they always have, but others had some new, creative lyrics to them, never before heard and perhaps never to be heard again, credited to one-beer-too-many or spur-of-the-moment creativity. After one song, Adam chuckled, “Wow. That’s how we should have written it in the first place.”
For the fake last song (the one before the encores), “Vampires,” the guys didn’t have their usual mob of impromptu go-go dancers come up on stage. Only two ladies were bold enough to honor the tradition, likely a sign of the bittersweetness of the moment, but they sure danced with gusto. Encores blew by the eager fans all too quickly, and the amps echoed the end of an era. Rest in Peace, The Stellas; may we hope to see you once again on a reunion tour.
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