On Sunday, March 3rd, 2024, fans gathered at The Atlantis in Washington, DC, reinforcing the age-old music saying, "Never Miss A Sunday Show." Sunday's musical odyssey was the culmination of a mini co-headlining tour by Kendall Street Company and Neighbor. Each band has previously headlined tours but decided to combine forces for a mini-tour of epic proportions. True to never missing a Sunday show, this performance would be a four-hour voyage of stage antics, covers, showmanship, virtuosity, ecstasy, and euphoria.
The first to take the stage was Charlottesville, Virginia, based, Kendall Street Company was the first to take to Atlantis's stage. The quintet, composed of Louis Smith (Rhythm Guitar / Vocals), Brian Roy (Bass), Ryan Wood (Drums), Ben Laderberg (Lead Guitar), and Jake Vanaman (Saxophone/Keys), last performed at The Atlantis on December 22nd, 2023. Tonight, it felt as if the band had only left the stage a few minutes earlier and returned for the second set at the venue. The band walked on stage, took to their instruments, and continued right where they left off. True to their reputation, each Kendall Street performance would be unique with new songs, on-stage shenanigans, humorous interactions with themselves and the audience, and tremendous music.
The evening would start with a rocking "Marijuana Timewarp" before shifting gears to a funk-infused "Blade Runner" and then into their first cover of the night, "Clyde" by J.J. Cale. The band turned their attention to "Mister Funky Daddy" as the band's interaction and connection to the audience would be on full display. The band would oscillate from a funky "Mister Funky Daddy" to an energetic and euphoric version, all the while Jake Vanaman's saxophone echoed through the venue. Frontman Louis Smith started talking to bassist Brian Roy, wondering, "You think we can go faster than that? Let's see if we can do it faster - yeah, we can." The banter continued while Roy would respond, "I'm not scared. I'm being prepared," before slipping into a deliberately slow version of the song. As one would remark on stage, "Slow can be scary."
Next, after performing "393," the band would introduce it as a new song. This year, the band has ambitions to release one new song every month - be on the lookout for twelve new songs coming in 2024. Next band would be anything but slow when a euphoric "BBC" by Ming Tea roared from the stage. The band would continue with some of their signature songs, including "Porridge," before inviting Richard James of Neighbor on stage for "Becca's Dad." Soon after, the band unleashed one of their most recognizable fan favorites, "Cars," before pivoting with "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley.
Stage dynamics and "Rick Rolling" aside, this song summed up the sincere love between the band and their fan - neither the fan nor the band wanted to give up or let down the other. Kendalls Street Company continues its heavy touring schedule, crisscrossing the country and bringing its unique stage presence with them. We encourage you to see this band as much as possible, as every show is unique and well worth the price of admission, and you will leave with a smile that will last for days.
After a short break, Neighbor would take the stage for what would be an unforgettable two-hour performance that oscillated between soulful and poignant to unsurpassed explosive musical energy. Neighbor is composed of a remarkable group of virtuosic musicians - Richard James (keys, vocals), Lyle Brewer (guitar), Dan Kelly (bass), and Dean "The Dux" Johnston (drums). The band first gained a following in Boston, then throughout New England, and has become embraced by fans nationwide. Last year, they made their international debut performing at Jam Cruise and appeared at Camp Greensky Iceland in addition to founding their first West Coast destination, camping festival - Camp Navarro.
Neighbor would paint the mood for the night with "What Should Will Never Be" before transitioning to an upbeat and syncopated "Lonely Rider." "Lonely Rider" is as infectious as it is upbeat, harkening to a sonic cousin, "Back On The Train" by Phish. This song would help launch into "Broadway," where midway through the song, Lyle Brewster would launch into a solo of pure ferocity and technical mastery that Brewer is well known for. As the band continued to surge forward with momentum behind them, they would continue onward with "Stay Loose" before launching into one of their rarer covers - "Where is My Mind?" by the Pixies. Stunned and delighted fans embraced this song as Dan Kelly's ferocious vocal delivery stunned the audience. We heard one audience member turn to another and wonder if they should make a "Let Dan Sing" T-Shirt reminiscent of the "Let Trey Sing" T-Shirt circulating after Dead & Company's Fare Thee Well Tour in 2015.
With the audience drenched in musical bliss, the quartet would land on "Great Barrier Reef" before being submerged in a resounding chorus of 'Na Na Na Na's echoing in the venue during "I Tried." Neighbor would soon rocket into fan favorite "Trippin' In A Van." The best was yet to come as the band launched into one of their more beloved and recognizable songs, "Pine Tree." This version of "Pine Tree" will be long remembered for a sit-in by Louis Smith of Kendall Street Company. Smith would appear on stage and perform "Low" by Cracker before Neighbor returned to complete "Pine Tree." During "Low," Smith and Kelly took turns singing lyrics as the audience sang along with beaming smiles.
Neighbor decided not to let the audience catch their breath as they launched into a soaring performance of "Steel" backed by a strong and steady hypnotic groove. Recognizing that the venue's curfew was drawing near, Neighbor raised the white flag as Richard James sang an impassioned and delicate version of "White Flag." The band would briefly leave the stage to let James bask in the rays of a singular spotlight. Rejoining James on stage, the band would collectively end the evening's performance with a heartfelt version of "Bottom Of My Heart," expressing their gratitude for fans joining them at The Atlantis.
As the four-hour musical expedition ended, the audience filed out of the venue with beaming faces after witnessing such an exceptional night of music. Each band is singularly incredible and worth seeing, but this pairing provided for some truly unforgettable nights of music. We look forward to DMV stalwarts Kendall Street Company coming back to the DC again after an ambitious upcoming tour, and we look forward equally as much to when Neighbor returns to our region. Be sure to keep an eye out for upcoming performances from each band.
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Enjoy photos by our photographer Gary Jared.
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Kendall Street Company
Enjoy photos by our photographer Jason Herman.
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