The second day of the Secret Stages Music Discovery Festival showcased another great lineup of bands and artists from all over the area. The South was predominately featured but musicians from Phoenix, Los Angeles and New Orleans also made the trip to what has become one of the best music discovery events around. The new location in the Birmingham suburb of Avondale has proven to be a big improvement and the large early crowd on Saturday was evident.
Getting things started on the Saturn stage was local singer/songwriter Will Stewart. He is another artist that had his time slot bumped at Slossfest due to weather and so just like Heath Green and the Makeshifters the day before, he was added to the Secret Stages lineup. His set featured songs off his new album release County Seat like “Sipsey” and “Rosalee”.
Next on the Avondale Brewery stage was Julie Odell from New Orleans and then Pearl Charles from Los Angeles. Julie Odell’s voice captured the daytime crowd’s attention starting with her first song and didn’t let go until then end of her set.
Pearl Charles had more of an indie pop sound that reminded me of a modern Fleetwood Mac. There was an underlying Southern California vibe that really went well with the festival setting.
One of the most anticipated sets was Mattiel from Atlanta. A band with soulful rock ‘n’ roll sound, Mattiel brings a nostalgic flavor mixing in everything from Americana, garage rock, to psychedelic rock. Lead singer Mattiel Brown had the loft stage at the Avondale Brewery clinging on to every move and note. Coming off the release of their self-titled debut album, the band looked and sounded the part. Performing their hits like “Whites of their Eyes”, “Bye Bye” and “Send it on Over”, they showcased a wide range of music styles. Those in Birmingham can catch them again at Saturn in October and those in Atlanta can see them at Music Midtown and opening for St. Paul and the Broken Bones at the Fox Theatre next month.
Next were two more singer/songwriters on the Avondale Brewery stage. First up was Ruby Boots. Originally from Perth, Australia, Bex Chilcott’s nomadic ways eventually led her to find a home in Nashville. Her hit song “Don’t Talk About It” describes her experiences traveling and finding her way.
Right after Ruby Boots left the stage Courtney Marie Andrews performed another of the weekend’s highly anticipated sets. Making her way from Phoenix, she has been enjoying new success after her breakout album Honest Life (2017), an album that tells the story of isolation and constantly being on the move while on tour. This year Courtney Marie Andrews is back with her stunning new album, May Your Kindness Remain (Fat Possum/Mama Bird, March 2018), showing off the new material at Secret Stages alongside her powerful melodies.
Another band from Atlanta was next on the 41st Street Pub stage, which turned out to be the surprise set of the weekend. Flamingo Shadow are a ton of fun live, and had the Secret Stages crowd immersed in every second of the band’s action on stage. The two singers were laughing and dancing, having just as much fun as anyone there. A flamingo is a fitting image for this band who mix well with the sun and sand on Miami Beach, or anywhere tropical in fact.
The night was capped by two standout performances by a couple of hip hop artists from the Northeast. First on the Saturn stage was Sammus. A rapper/producer from Philly, Sammus got up on stage by herself and killed it with her first song “Time Crisis”. The song is about the rumors she heard about turning 30 not being true.
After her 45 minute set, the New York duo Oshun took the stage. Oshun consists of two sisters named Thandiwe and Niambi Sala. They had the late night crowd swaying to their beat and the hypnotic voices. Their style and image blends well with the sampling of celestial sounds and tracks as they transport you to “Oshuniverse”.
This festival was an eye opening experience for many. It’s incredible that so many good musicians were gathered on one intersection and almost all of them were from Birmingham, Atlanta and Nashville. Props to the organizers for putting on a well run music festival with no issues. Based on the success of previous Secret Stages performers, we will be seeing plenty more from this year’s crop for many years to come.
All photos by Art Husband
