On a lively Friday evening in late April, The Hamilton Live hosted an extraordinary performance by the Kitchen Dwellers, the Boseman, Montana-based bluegrass quartet. With their intricate musicianship, infectious energy, and unique electronic bluegrass sounds–known as galaxy grass–the Kitchen Dwellers left a lasting impression on the audience, delivering a memorable night of music to a packed and rowdy house. 

Composed of Max Davies on guitar, Torrin Daniels on banjo, Joe Funk on bass, and Shawn Swain on mandolin, the Kitchen Dwellers' showcased their skills on a mix of original compositions and well-chosen covers that demonstrated their versatility and reverence for bluegrass traditions. Original tracks like "Hell to Sunday," "Bottom Shelf," and "Muir Maid" showcased the band's ability to seamlessly blend their traditional bluegrass roots with elements of jamgrass and progressive rock. 

In addition to their original material, the Kitchen Dwellers treated the crowd to several stellar covers. Their rendition of "Blue Indian" by Widespread Panic was a true highlight, with the band infusing their unique flavor into the beloved tune. Furthermore, paying homage to the legends of bluegrass, the band delivered captivating versions of Bill Monroe's "Big Mon" and "Whitehouse Blues." These covers showcased the band's deep respect for the genre's roots while adding their modern twist.

The band's connection with the audience was palpable throughout the night. Nearly every audience member was on their feet, dancing to the Kitchen Dweller's funky galaxy grass. The intimate setting of The Hamilton Live only enhanced this connection, making the evening feel like a celebration among friends. The crowd couldn't help but sing, clap, and be cheerfully immersed in the band's infectious energy. The band's light rig was another highlight of the evening, providing a vibrantly colored stage for the Kitchen Dwellers to perform.

The Kitchen Dwellers welcomed Sicard Hollow–a Nashville-based psychedelic punk-grass band– as their opening act. The four-piece band matched the Kitchen Dwellers' high energy with their soaring fiddle and funky slap bass solos. Members of Sicard Hollow–Matt Rennick (fiddle) and Alex King (guitar/vocals)–joined the Kitchen Dwellers for the fantastic cover of "Big Mon," adding more psychedelic layers to the Dwellers' signature galaxy grass sound. 

The Kitchen Dwellers and Sicard Hollow are performing later this month at DelFest, taking place May 25-28th. (You can see the full DelFest lineup here.) Both bands are playing Saturday, May 27th; the Kitchen Dwellers are playing the DelFest Late Night stage at 2:15 am, and Sicard Hollow performs in the Music Hall at 4:15 pm. We look forward to seeing both bands there!