Concert Review: The Shivas (Snug Harbor)

BY SAM DARWIN

The Shivas headlined Charlotte's Snug Harbor the night of Tuesday, October 26th. Supporting them were magnetic local groups Cabana Hell Club and Dipstick.

Cabana Hell Club opened the show and quickly attracted a sizable crowd to the Plaza Midwood music venue. An up-and-coming project from known Charlotte musicians, the group brings something a little different to the local scene. Dance and sing rock with a heavy back end, Cabana Hell Club is certainly a group worth its weight when it comes to musicality and just being really, really cool.

Dipstick, arguably a new CLT cult favorite, brought up the middle spot with their frenzied rock 'n' roll. There's one thing this group is doing differently than anyone else in the area and it's their heavy focus on visuals. Between its five eccentric members and the hypnotizing physics demonstrations they set up on the projector behind them, Dipstick is both interesting to hear, and to look at. (Their Instagram is also definitely worth checking out if you're into visuals.)

The Shivas, naturally, finished out the show. Portland natives, the group is far from home promoting their sixth album, Feels So Good // Feels So Bad, an album reminiscent of early 2010s indier ock with a more serious and cathartic undertone. The Shivas pulled the Snug Harbor crowd to attention with the bold riffs from "Feels So Bad," the amiable, hypnotizing chanting of "Gloria," and the resilient rhythms of "Look So Good, Be So Good." The Shivas are continuing their tour through November 17th--just in time to get back home before it gets too cold.

SAM DARWIN
Sam Darwin is a photographer, writer and travel-enthusiast from Cameron, NC. Based in Charlotte, she enjoys uncovering the quirks of the city and meeting the people who make it special.

Follow Sam on Instagram at @panosamic.