Show Review: Holy Ghost Tent Revival with Annuals at Cat's Cradle

Raleigh's Annuals started off the night. With three different kinds of percussion going on all at once, it was immediately an interesting show. They played some new songs and old, each loved just as much by their fans. The coolest part was when the lights would dim almost to blackness and the main drum kit, clear under normal lights, would glow with a green laser pointer. It would go in unison with the beat and created a really awesome effect. The left wall of the Cradle lit up with spirals and the band was illuminated by the main source of sound at this point. Kudos.

Photo by Julie Whelan

I'd only ever seen Holy Ghost Tent Revival at Shakori. Each time they'd been incredible, inviting people up on stage to dance and just looking like they were having in the world. I wondered if playing indoors - away from the mud, grass, .."grass".., and hula hoopers - would affect the performance any. Of course, it didn't.

A guitar string broke during the first song. Instead of having to endure an awkward lull until the guitarist fixed this, the band started to jam and told the crowd to dance until they had it under control. This little jam session was funky - all I could think was how fun their band practices must be. Once the string was replaced, the guitarist just joined back in and started singing "There ain't no party like a Holy Ghost Tent Revival party cause aHoly Ghost Tent Revival party don't stop!"  That themed continued through the entire show. The band was excited and happy to be there, and that was mirrored by the crowd.

This show was in support of their upcoming release "Sweat Like The Old Days," out Sept. 4th. The new tracks that they played definitely won't disappoint. I'm looking forward to hearing the album as a whole. If you did miss this show, the band will play Grey Eagle in Asheville on Aug. 31 and The Whiskey in Wilmington on Sept. 20.

Photo by Julie Whelan

Photo by Julie Whelan