Savannah Stopover 2015 – Day 2 Review

Review and Photos By: Mike Gerry

Day 2 of Savannah Stopover was jam packed with a ton of great artists. We got to see a lot of bands, but still weren’t able to make it to every show we wanted to see missing bands like Fire Mountain, Semicircle, Triathalon, and Clear Plastic Masks. Luckily we have seen a lot of those guys and already knew how great they are.

Day 2 was for seeing a few of the bands we already know we love, but also discovering or seeing bands we haven’t seen for the first time. After all, that’s what a festival like this is all about.

Biggest Surprise and one of the best of the festival: Rose Quartz

After seeing some of the Turbo Fruits set, we made it over to Club One to catch some of the Rose Quartz set, trying to get a good spot for the Generationals show. Having seen Generationals before, we still wanted to make sure to see some of their set before checking out All Them Witches for the first time.

Walking into Club One with no expectations for Rose Quartz, we were immediately taken. The crowd was dancing to this Denver synth pop band, and we couldn’t help but join.

If the crowd was there for the Generationals, they sure forgot. It was now time for a dance party in Savannah, and Rose Quartz was there to make it happen. These guys are now fully on our radar!

Another Surprise of the Day: Crazy Bag Lady

Savannah locals told us that we had to check out Savannah’s own punk band at The Jinx. Always listen to the locals.

There was moshing, crowd surfing, and a lot of crazy punk rock from these guys. Frontman Josh Sterno is the ultimate showman, at times wrapping his mic cord around his face and throat while still belting out tunes.

Faces were melted.

Best of the Day: All Them Witches

Nashville’s All Them Witches closed out Day 2 with a thrilling set of loud psychedelic rock n roll. The Jinx was packed and the crowd was certainly ready to rock right along with these guys.

The guitars are heavy, the drumming loud, and Savannah couldn’t resist getting the mosh pit going with All Them Witches.

Heck of a way to close down night 2 at Savannah Stopover!

Always Great: 100 Watt Horse

Atlanta’s 100 Watt Horse is always great to catch live, whether it’s George Pettis solo, or with a full band. On this beautiful Savannah day, George strolled in at 5 by himself for a wonderful solo set. Even at a festival like Stopover, with so many talented artists, Pettis’ songwriting chops stick out above all of the rest.

After the 100 Watt Horse set, a couple from New York City who just happened to be in Savannah, loves live music, and saw there was a festival going on, grabbed George to tell him how blown away they were by his set. They said they will be sure to catch him whenever he plays NYC. This couple had no idea about any of the bands playing, but were in for a surprise with 100 Watt Horse. We are right there with you New Yorkers.

Always Great: Caleb Caudle

This was the first time we were making it over to the Trinity United Church to see a show there for this Savannah Stopover. We knew this would be a perfect setting for the great singer songwriter Caudle.

Caleb is on one of our favorites from the awesome record label, This Is American Music, fitting in perfectly with their folk, Americana vibes of southern indie.

We have seen Caleb a number of times, and we know that every single time he will show off his songwriting and sing his absolute heart out. Caudle gave every ounce to the crowd in this beautiful church.

Always Great: Family and Friends

Family and Friends made the long trek over from Athens, Georgia to take Savannah by storm. Sure they are a family band, and that’s fitting, but they are so much more. If you have never seen these guys live, get out and be ready to feel pure energy and love.

Family and Friends set had to be one of the more talked about sets from the festival patrons. Ampersand will never be the same.

With a bunch of musicians, and two drummers switching around, this band oozes energy on stage. The crowd can’t help but have fun right along with these Family and Friends.

And after the set, in a Family and Friends fashion, there are hugs all around.

Always good: Turbo Fruits

After missing Nashville’s Turbo Fruits on Day 1, we got to catch a portion of their set at Hang Fire after they filled in for one of the many bands who couldn’t make it to Savannah because of snow.

These guys are a great rock n roll band, always solid live.

Other bands we got to see some of their sets that we really dug:

Beach Day:

Beach Day is a surf/garage punk rock band from Hollywood, Florida, or as they refer to it, Hollyweird. They are definitely one to keep an eye on.

Rocco Deluca

Rocco played a great set at Trinity United Church to the packed out crowd.

Bombadil

Bombadil from Durham, NC were a nice find at the Trinity Church.

Generationals

Since we have seen the Generationals from New Orleans a number of times, we only got to see a few songs before heading over to see All Them Witches for the first time. These guys are a great indie rock band that always has the crowd dancing. For the few songs we saw at Club One, they certainly didn’t disappoint for this Savannah Stopover crowd.

What a great day 2 of Savannah Stopover this was. This festival has our heart.