It was long time country band Delta Rae’s fifth show on their Long and Happy Life Tour when they came to the Center for Arts in Natick, MA on May 25th. The six members of the band formed back in 2009 and it was their love of harmonies, songwriting and real instruments that brought them together. Their new EP, titled ‘A Long and Happy Life’ was released earlier this year, on March 25th.
Before Delta Rae took the stage in Natick, a young songwriter from Nashville came out named Lauren Jenkins. Like Delta Rae, Lauren is also signed to Big Machine Label Group. It was Lauren’s first time to Massachusetts and I could tell she was very excited to play. The Center for Arts is a smaller venue in Natick that holds about 250 people. Lauren captivated the sold out crowd with her original songs about bad habits, whiskey and relationships. Her new EP, ‘The Nashville Sessions,’ was released last summer and we were lucky to hear some songs such as ‘My Bar.’ Her voice resembles Stevie Nicks so it was appropriate that she covered ‘Dreams’ by Fleetwood Mac.while everyone sang along. Lauren told us she is a long time fan of Delta Rae and was honored to be able to open for them and was so thankful to play for a room full of eager listeners. After her set, there was a brief intermission. Lauren met fans at the merch table and was so sweet to everyone. Lauren has a new album set to come out sometime this year and I can’t wait to hear new music from her and see what she’ll do in the future.
After the brief intermission, the lights went down and the crowd started clapping. You could see the shadows of the band taking the compact stage. The lights went up and Delta Rae started with a loud, mesmerizing harmony to the beginning of ‘Seven Bridges Road’ by The Eagles which they transitioned into their upbeat song ‘I Moved South’ which summarizes how the band was formed with a combination of family and friends. In the small venue, instantly, the excitement spread as soon as the music began. Delta Rae’s talent is undeniable. Sitting behind the keyboards, Eric Holljes introduced the next song ‘When Morning Comes’ that was written about his father. Through each song Delta Rae played, the whole audience very involved clapping and singing along. ‘Ain’t Love’ and ‘Run’ were played next followed by Delta Rae saying how much they love coming to Massachusetts. The Bay State is a special place for this band because Ian, Eric and Brittany’s grandmother is originally from Natick, and said it was very meaningful to be playing a show where her grandmother was raised. Brittany recalled memories from when she, Eric and Ian were younger, and driving to MA. Their grandmother would tell them to roll down the window and “smell the salty air” which was a perfect transition to the song: ‘The Wrong Ocean.’ Next, ‘If I Loved You’ was seamlessly intertwined with a cover of ‘I Can’t Make You Love Me’ and the song ‘Outlaws’ contained a fun xylophone solo. Delta Rae reorganized on stage. Brittany, Liz, Ian and Eric stood in an intimate circle showcasing their harmonizing voices, one acoustic guitar and dim lights, sang ‘No Peace In Quiet.’ which was truly the highlight of the show.
One really cool thing Delta Rae is doing on this tour is Tickets for Teachers. Each show Delta Rae is giving away tickets to a nominated teacher. Liz told us that the band members were each shaped by great teachers and some members were teachers themselves before joining the band. It is important to them that teachers are recognized. You can go online and nominate a special teacher you know and a winner will be chosen for each show. Tonight’s winner was Nora, a middle school math teacher in Lawrence.
‘Whatcha Thinkin About’ is a fun upbeat song that had the whole audience clapping along and the first time, we see a solo from Ian. Brittany then sang ‘Hitch A Ride’ which she described as a somber murder ballad with a lot of female empowerment. Sometimes listening to songs, you wonder what inspired the song writer. Eric told us that ‘Out Of The Badlands’ was inspired by reading Bruce Springsteens’ autobiography. The lights then got dark, we heard cricket sounds and drums beating. Brittany started covering ‘I Put A Spell On You’ which the crowd loved and was so perfect for her voice. The song then transitioned into the hit ‘Bottom Of The River.’ With great visual effects using bright red stage lights, a spotlight and a fan, Delta Rae was able to give a very theatrical performance that the crowd loved. The last song that Delta Rae was set to play was their new single out to country radio and their EP title track ‘A Long And Happy Life.’ They thanked the audience and country radio for playing this song. When Delta Rae finished, the crowd was up on their feet. They thanked everyone and exited the stage – but as every concert goer knows – it isn’t over till the lights go on! The crowd remained on their feet cheering until finally screaming when Delta Rae appeared for an encore. Delta Rae and the crowd sang their song ‘Dance In The Graveyard’ along with a mix of ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’. Everyone was dancing and clapping and their fiddler, Gideon Klein, fiddled and danced up and down the aisles. The energy was so high. It was a perfect ending.
Delta Rae is a huge talent and the performance was one that very much involved the audience. There were so many instruments on the stage and they utilized them all while playing song after song with so much enthusiasm. If you missed them perform in Natick, you’ll have a couple other chances to see them this summer. On August 18th they’ll be at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston. August 19th, they’ll be at the Port City Music Hall in Portland, Maine and on August 20th they be at the Blue Ocean Music Hall in Salisbury, MA. It’s definitely a show you’ll want to come out and see!
