Grace Bowers electrifies the XPoNential Music Festival

People tell stories of the first time they see the Billy Strings of the world, when you don’t know what you are walking into but take a chance on them anyway. Next thing you know, you are watching my generation’s Billie Strings: Grace Bowers’ performance at WXPN’s XPoNential Music Festival. She appeared on the stage with her big white curly hair reflecting the rays of shine that we didn’t have the pleasure of experiencing last year, boldly announcing “I’m Grace Bower’s and this is my band The Hodge Podge!” In her first song, a cover of Santana’s “Soul Sacrifice,” she invited her vocalists on stage to lay down some verses. She soloed for the first time of many to come and played a segment of riffs starting with the ice cream truck jingle “The Entertainer” and sending it off to Prince Parker to play another childhood melody that you can hum all the way through but can’t seem to remember the name of. The moment was electrifying, intense and showed their raw talent, bringing the River Stage to life on the third day of the festival.

At 17 years old, the Nashville-based guitarist, songwriter, and bandleader already carries the aura of a seasoned musician, and her set reflected that maturity. Armed with her signature Gibson SG and backed by her band, The Hodge Podge, Bowers delivered a powerful set that left the audience in awe. They played their debut single, “Tell Me Why U Do That,” next. Bowers wasted no time getting the crowd moving. The song’s infectious funk grooves and soulful melodies, combined with her jaw-dropping guitar solo, set the tone for an energetic and captivating performance. Bowers, with her gold-blonde curls bouncing as she shredded her guitar, seemed to channel the rock ‘n’ roll greats she grew up studying—an artist born to be on stage. The crowd responded with enthusiasm, many dancing and singing along, fully immersed in the joyful, throwback vibe of the track.

Grace Bowers | photo by Elie Pichanick for WXPN

Throughout the set, Bowers displayed the versatility that has already earned her recognition from music legends like Dolly Parton and Tyler Childers. She played with the ease and command of a veteran performer, moving seamlessly between blistering solos and more soulful, introspective moments with Parker right by her side to fill in the gaps with his expertise. There was an interlude between “Red Hot Mama” and “Madam President” that started with a slow tempo drumbeat and built up explosively.

Grace Bowers and The Hodge Podge don’t approach their music only worrying about the percussion and perfection, rather, they truly embody improvisation, each member watching each other’s moves to make their next. Dekar Justus stood out on “Changes/Who Knows” when he took hold of vocals while Parker played a crunchy melody, Moe Suave’s bassline pierced through the mix, Jackson Dyson synth solo highlighted his place in the band as a new member of The Hodge Podge, during his first performance no less.

A standout in the set was “Wine on Venus,” a deeply personal song written in memory of her grandmother. As Bowers introduced the song, she shared the story of her grandmother’s wish to drink wine on Venus after her passing, and the emotional weight of the song resonated with the audience. She took a picture of the audience to capture the beautiful moment, with the entire crowd raising their hands.

She may be young, but Bowers’ performance exuded confidence, poise, and a deep understanding of the musical craft. Her ability to fuse elements of funk, soul, and rock into a cohesive sound speaks to her broad influences and dedication to honing her skills. As she is riding the wave of her new debut album Wine on Venus, her XPoNential performance served as a powerful reminder that Grace Bowers stands right there among some of the past few decade’s greatest guitarists.