Lake Street Dive and The Suffers bring down the house at The Fillmore

Lake Street Dive | Photo by Kate McCann for WXPN | katemccannphotography.com

Friday night’s show at The Fillmore was all about tons of dancing and stellar front-women. The sold-out event began with The Suffers, from Houston, Texas, rocking the stage, as lead vocalist Kam Franklin strutted the stage in a green sequined dress. Franklin really warmed the crowd up with her soulful voice, big stage presence, and inspirational story of finding a second career in music. The ten-piece band is touring behind a couple EPs and their self-titled LP, and has gained a strong following for a band whose debut album is only a month old.

By the time Lake Street Dive arrived, the crowd was ready to keep dancing after chugging a few more cocktails at one of the many bars. Singer / frontwoman Rachael Price began their set with a similar enthusiasm as Franklin, as she danced and smiled with each sultry lyric. The band just released their fifth LP, Side Pony, with Nonesuch Records, and with it came a new energy and a clean look; Price donning high heels and a skirt as she stands at center stage. By the middle of the set, Price pulled a scrunchy out of her hair, shot it into the audience and the band went into the title track “Side Pony,” which really got the audience boogying.

Big moments like the rootsy soul of “Bad Self Portraits” and slick 70s pop groove of “Call of Your Dogs” were scattered throughout the 90-minute set, along with remarkable covers of Annie Lennox’s “Walking on Broken Glass” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.: The Fillmore’s energy didn’t wane for a single song. Franklin joined Price right before an encore; the two women complemented each other as their big voices harmonized together for a beautiful ending to the night.

Check out photos and video of the show below.