Birmingham, Alabama-based St. Paul and the Broken Bones took the MGM Northfield’s Center Stage venue by storm on Friday night, playing a ninety-minute set of good old-fashioned funky Southern Soul.
Led by frontman Paul Janeway, a powerhouse of a voice wrapped up in a stocky, pale frame, the octet employs a swinging horn trio along with fellow founding member Jesse Phillips on bass.
The crowd, not quite at half-capacity (Tariffs? The economy?), stood for much of the show, cheering on Janeway’s vocal prowess. Several times throughout the set, Janeway took to a knee and dug deep to find those high notes.
Virginia native Yasmin Williams opened with a thirty-minute instrumental set, showing off her chops on an acoustic guitar.
The Wood Brothers, a NYC-based trio, offered an Americana-styled set, with younger brother Chris on upright bass and elder bro Oliver taking up vocal duties. Accompanied by percussionist Jano Rix behind the kit, the outfit played a full set as well, rare for an opener.
The show started at 7:00 and went on way past 11; money well spent for a mid-summer show.
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