Lowcountry Listens will return to the Charleston Gaillard Center in August to feature live performances by talented local musicians. The program was created during the pandemic in a livestream format, and this summer it will return in-person.
“We’re actually going to be able to showcase [musicians] in different settings throughout the Gaillard Center. This is going to be a more intimate experience than you may have had before,” said director of marketing, Kellie Lawson. Some shows will seat the concert-goers onstage with the musicians. “That’s such a unique opportunity that doesn’t come around often,” she said.
Lowcountry Listens will feature four local acts, each bringing with them their own distinctive musical stylings.
Saxophonist, composer, creator and producer Kevin Patton will kick off the event Wed., Aug. 4.
A member of the Charleston Jazz Orchestra, Patton is a multi-hyphenate — not only does he perform his own music, but he also teaches at Allegro Charter School of Music and produces an online concert series, “Music in Charleston.”
“No matter what I’m doing, I’m always creating something new,” Patton said. “I’m always exploring.”
His performance at the Gaillard will feature a five-piece band composed of musicians he has collaborated with on past projects: pianist Abdiel Iriarte, trombonist Gavin Smith, bassist Tim Khayat and drummer Miller Boone. Patton will play the saxophone and emcee the show.
“For me, this is a very important concert because it’s all of my compositions. I’m doing seven compositions that I’ve written over the last seven years. This concert is kind of my musical landscape, and my journey musically,” Patton said.
The show will take place with both the band and the audience on the stage for a unique listening experience. “Everybody’s going to be on the stage at the performance hall. I’m really looking forward to that,” he said.
Singer-songwriter Lindsay Holler is the next performer in Lowcountry Listens lineup, playing August 11 on the terrace lawn. She embraces musical styles from multiple genres, spinning songs that weave in and out of jazz, country and folk.
“You don’t know what you’re going to get at a show of mine,” Holler said. “I like the freedom to maneuver as I want to and wherever the mood takes me.”
She’s been working on an album for the last year and a half, and the same amount of time has gone by since she has performed live with a full band. Holler is excited to experiment with her new songs in this format.
“We can work within constraints and see how we could rearrange songs to accomplish what we want to that day. It’s going to be interesting because we will probably have to rearrange some old songs and then even the new ones we’ve got, we’ll probably have to tweak a little bit,” she said.“I always like to throw in a few weird covers as well just to spice it up.”
Americana artist Tom Mackell will play on Wed., Aug. 18. The singer-songwriter’s sound incorporates elements of pop, rock and folk.
“I am looking forward to performing stripped-down acoustic versions of new music from my upcoming EP titled Hearts Wide Open out everywhere Aug 20,” Mackell said. “I am also excited to play some older material and a few songs by some of my favorite artists.”
The gallery atrium, flooded with natural light from the skylight above, will create a serene backdrop for Mackell’s soulful tunes.
Dallas Baker and Friends will put on the final Low Country Listen’s concert August 25 with improvisational beach bluegrass. Voted Charleston City Paper’s Best Bluegrass Band of the Year twice, the group, fronted by singer, harmonica player and guitarist Dallas Baker and supported by mandolinist David Vaughan, bassist Jeff Nark, and harmonizing vocalist Lorra Amos, promises to deliver a lively show.
“Over the years we’ve really honed our unique string band sound. I also think fans that come to see us love how much fun we have and feed off that energy. We’ll keep your toes tapping and feet dancing, or melt your hearts too,” Baker said.
“This will be our first Gaillard performance, and we couldn’t be more excited. I love the Lowcountry Listens concept, and I’m really excited that different artists are performing in different locations all around the venue,” Baker said of the setup.
The Gaillard Center is, as Lawson put it, “first and foremost a nonprofit organization committed to enriching lives through unforgettable experiences.”
“To be able to have an intimate experience with music, which of course is not something that many people have been able to have over the last year, is just a really exciting way to get back,” Lawson said. $25 tickets are available from the Gaillard Center.
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.