Dorothy and company proved that rock and roll is alive and well during their Huntsville show at Mars Music Hall.
It didn’t take long for the audience to discover that the rock spirit has carried to the younger generation when Classless Act took the stage. The Los Angeles-based five-piece fired up the electric guitars early and performed an energetic, all-around fun 30-minute set that went by incredibly quickly. It was frontman Derek Day who really shined during the performance, with a voice that pairs perfectly with the 80s glam-rock sound that the group produces. Oddly enough, Classless Act will be opening for Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison, and Joan Jett during this summer’s highly-anticipated stadium tour. If this show is any indication, Classless Act will undoubtedly be a welcome addition on those tour dates.
From the second that Joyous Wolf stepped on stage, it was clear the group was there to have a good time, which carried over to an exceptional performance. Despite some early sound issues, frontman Nick Reese was the star for the rockers, as he bounced from side to side on stage, providing plenty of energy throughout the band’s 45-minute set, and he didn’t limit his interactions just to the stage. In fact, Reese got up close and personal with fans as he jumped into the crowd late during the performance. That was a risky move, considering the sparse crowd on hand during the concert. It worked out well for Reese, as fans were there to catch the frontman.
After a quick set change, it was time for Dorothy to take the stage, and the crowd that was on hand, cheered loudly as the lights went down. While lead singer Dorothy Martin garners the most attention, her backing band received the early spotlight, particularly guitarist Devon Pangle and Eliot Lorango. The duo opened the evening showcasing their skills with a short little jam session before the lead singer walked onto the stage to a rousing ovation. Dressed in patent leather down to her high heel boots, it was clear that Dorothy came to rock, and that’s precisely what occurred over the next 80 minutes.While Dorothy had the somewhat intimidating rock and roll outfit down to a science, it proves that the old saying is true, looks can be deceiving. Several times during the night, Dorothy fed off the energy from the crowd and made sure to incorporate them into the performance. Those moments came early into the set as well. During a break in between songs, the singer waved to fans sitting in the Mars Music Hall balcony. Then there was a moment during “Gun in My Hand” where she extended her arm to a crowd member, and the two cherished a moment together. From that fan’s facial expression, you could tell that that short moment genuinely meant a lot as tears rolled down her cheek.
Later this month, Dorothy will release a new album titled Gifts From The Holy Ghost. The record is set to drop on April 22, and the lead single, “Rest In Peace,” was incorporated into her performance. As she introduced the new track, it was clear that it was already a fan favorite as several audience members cheered when she mentioned the title.
Dorothy also incorporated some surprises into her set, including a cover of Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This).” She was able to put her twist on the track, adding her southern rock style to the song. Even some security guards raised their phones to record a snippet of the cover. During the final portion of the tune, Dorothy asked the audience to sing the words back at her. The fans answered, bellowing out the chorus, and the singer then jokingly asked if the crowd wanted to join the band on stage. Those wholesome moments when she was able to connect with the fans made it a special show.
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