While the Ravens were stirring up excitement at M&T Bank Stadium, just a short distance away, The String Cheese Incident—affectionately known as “Cheese”—had Baltimore grooving to their own rhythm at Pier 6 Pavilion.  Baltimore was certainly buzzing with energy across the stages and stadiums on an electric Sunday, September 29th.  The band brought their signature fusion of funk, folk, rock, and jam to the stage, closing out the September leg of their 30th-anniversary tour with an unforgettable early  show.  A little afternoon Cheese was just what Baltimore's Inner Harbor needed - a full afternon grilling from 4:20 PM to well after the sun went down!

At 4:20 PM, the six-piece band stepped out under a vibrant canopy of swirling lights, kicking things off with the irresistible conga beat of "Can’t Wait Another Day." The crowd was immediately swept up in the energy, hands in the air, swaying to the infectious groove. The percussive drive of the jam continued as the band seamlessly transitioned into "Born on the Wrong Planet," picking up the tempo and moving into a blend of folk-rock for "Dudley’s Kitchen," "Eventually," and "MLT." Fiddle solos by Micheal Kang and washboard beats by Jason Hann took the audience on a transcendent musical journey, showcasing the band’s genre-blurring magic.

Taking a brief pause between songs, the band joked about being “half awake” after a long tour, but any signs of fatigue disappeared the moment they launched into the next track—a cover of the Talking Heads’ classic "This Must Be the Place."

The set quickly reached a fiery climax as the band’s rock roots took center stage with "Tinder Box," drenching the harbor in red lights and heavy guitar riffs. Wrapping up their first set at 5:30 p.m., the band playfully quipped about heading over to M&T Bank Stadium to sing the National Anthem.

Before diving back in after a 30-minute break, the band took a moment to thank the 19 crew members who made the tour possible before playing more high-energy jams, kicking off the second set with a funky, keyboard-driven groove courtesy of Kyle Hollingsworth. The second set immediately shifted into high gear, with tropical and island vibes transforming the pavilion into a dance party. The musical journey continued with "Bollymunster," a Celtic-Indian fusion that brought a worldly flavor to the packed venue.

The band treated the audience to a track from their latest 2023 album, I Will Follow You, returning to the folksy, piano-led jams reminiscent of the first set. From there, they dove into a flawless mix of their late ‘90s classics, blending "Birdland" and "The Remington Ride" into a seamless jam that had the crowd in awe. The night came to an electrifying close with the high-energy "All We Got" before the band returned for an encore, playing "Barstool" and the fan-favorite "Let’s Go Outside."

The entire show proved that The String Cheese Incident is far from a one-note band.  This band is more than the sum of its parts - their music is a journey and a destination for so many!  Each year, Cheese continues to headline summer festivals and sell-out shows across the country, including Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado! Their transformative sound, blending folk, funk, rock, and everything in between, continues to captivate audiences. Just like their name suggests, the band offers a melting pot of grooves and textures—creating the kind of experience that leaves fans hungry for more.

Cheese does not make its way to the DMV that often, but based on such a spectacular, gooey, and extra-cheesy performance, we hope they make their way back to the stages of the greater Baltimore and DC metro area again soon.