MUSIC: The Carnival Barker’s Ball Invades The Roots

Monday, May 20, 2013

Rob Duguay, GoLocalProv Music Critic

 

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Up and coming folk-rock band Gill Moss headlined an amazing night at The Roots this weekend. Photo: Jayna Aronovitch.

On Saturday at The Roots Cultural Center in downtown Providence, The Carnival Barker's Ball provided a two-stage show that was full of all kinds of craziness with jugglers, tattoo artists and freaks in every corner. Stella Knows Blues, Gill Moss, The Maiden Of Madness and Indiana Handshake were on an bill that exhibited all sorts of different styles and genres, a pretty cool time was definitely in store. Looking to get your groove on? The Carnival Barker's Ball at The Roots was your prime destination to highlight your weekend.

Stella Knows Blues

An old-school style blues band with a kickass saxophone, Stella Knows Blues started things off on the main stage and it was down & dirty, all sorts of purty and flat out awesome. A two hour set that featured renditions of Stevie Wonder's "Superstition", Buddy Guy's "Let Me Love You Baby", Bill Withers' "Use Me", Muddy Waters' "Got My Mojo Workin'", Eddie Boyd's "Five Long Years", Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Good", Wilson Pickett's "Mustang Sally" and John Lee Hooker's "Boom Boom Boom" had people doing the boogie woogie and cutting a rug on the dance floor. Usually I'm not the biggest fan of cover bands, but when it's blues it's definitely an exception. I absolutely want to check out Stella Knows Blues again and you should too.

The Maiden Of Madness

The moniker of local music socialite Stephanie Carey, The Maiden Of Madness had a soulful and intimate performance at the second stage right near the bar. "You, The Devil & Whiskey", "Out To Sea" and "Madame Mustache" were part of a short set abundant with heart and feel. When you hear about The Maiden Of Madness playing in your neck of the woods, check Steph out and lose yourself in her melodies and breathtaking songs.

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Indiana Handshake

When Pete Giza, Chris Quiray and Alex Lacroix come together the intensity and energy is always at an all-time high. Indiana Handshake took the bar stage by storm with "The Weight Of The World", "To The End", "Believe This (I Don't), "Turn Me Over", a blisteringly loud version of The Beatles' "Helter Skelter", a rendition of Alex Clare's "Too Close", "Tell" and "Solitude" to obliterate ear drums all over the place and getting everyone's attention. Indiana Handshake will be playing The Spot in Providence on June 22nd as part of an event called Rock & Rave with a DJ spinning in between sets. Make sure to come down to dance and get ants in your pants.

Gill Moss

Up last was an up and coming folk-rock band in Gill Moss that's been making waves all over the Providence music scene lately. "Breakdown Lane", "Blow Up The Moon", "Go Fly A Kite", "Downcity", "Homewrecker", "My Dear, The Wolves", "Just Off Broome" and "Whiskey & Spoon" had people dancing and romancing. Gill Moss will be playing next at Dusk in Providence on May 31st, head on out to one of my favorite venues and see a band that will make you lose control and bust a move. The Roots is a very classy joint to see spectacular live music, log on to rootsprovidence.com and head on over to a place that'll memorize you.

 

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