This past Thursday, two amazing bands teamed up for a night of sheer entertainment in downtown Raleigh.

Sol Driven Train, a band from South Carolina opened up the evening on a rather unexpected tone — it appeared to be ska.  Yes, there was a trombone and a baritone sax, and both had very talented musicians attached to them!  I had wondered where ska had disappeared to in the past decade or so and was pleased to hear something familiar, but then the next song came and then the next…  It was ska, then blues, then Johny Carter-esque country, then something with a Latin feel, and the set finished with a near-ten-minute percussion finale in which every member of the band took to a drum for an all out battle of the beats.  I was utterly blown away.   How could the night have possibly gotten any better?

Sol Driven Train starting out the evening...

I have four words for you —  Holy Ghost Tent Revival.  Imagine if you can for a moment ragtime, bluegrass, and indie rock having a private party in a French Quarter hotel while your grandma’s gospel choir watched in horror through the keyhole.  The music makes you want to dance and sing, hands over your head, heels kicked up, shoes off without caring who sees.  Actually, if you were there, you might’ve seen me, but that’s beside the point — It seemed as if the walls actually pulsed with the banging rhythms of the banjo and the wailing combination of the horns and the harmonized vocals made the glass in the windows tremble.  New songs were on hand, and it’s clear that not only is the Greensboro-based group gaining melodic momentum, their writing is more interesting and creative than ever.

Holy Ghost Tent Revival tearin' the roof off the honky tonk...

I was already a fan of Holy Ghost Tent Revival, and I think I become an even bigger fan each time I see them.  They’re certainly an act not to be missed, and I was fortunate enough this time to catch them with an opening act who certainly held their own.

New month, new shows, new giveaways!

Check out the great shows that are happening this week that WKNC is giving away tickets to:

Monday, April 5

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists w/ Screaming Females & Pink Flag @ Cat’s Cradle

Wednesday, April 7

Manchester Orchestra w/ The Features, Biffy Clyro & O’Brother @ Cat’s Cradle

Manchester Orchestra

Technoiz Wednesdays w/Juan Juevos, MYL SMARTHMOUF, Dutches Headbangerr & DJ Charlie Burnett @ The Pour House

Thursday, April 8

Holy Ghost Tent Revival w/Sol Driven Train @ The Pour House

Holy Ghost Tent Revival

Temper Trap w/The Kissaway Trail @ Cat’s Cradle

Temper Trap

Friday, April 9

Bowerbirds w/Midtown Dickens & Veelee @ Cat’s Cradle

Bowerbirds photo by Alissa Anderson

Old Habits w/Mandolin Orange @ The Pour House

Old Habits

Be sure to tune into WKNC 88.1 FM or stream online for your chance to win! For a complete list of local shows check out The Rock Report.

A new month means new ticket giveaways and that’s exactly what WKNC 88.1 FM has for you! Be sure to tune in or listen online for your chances to win tickets to these great shows coming up this week:

Wednesday, February 10
Holy Ghost Tent Revival w/ The Woes & The Moneynotes @ The Pour House

Holy Ghost Tent Revival

Thursday, February 11
House of Fools w/ Ryan Gustafson & Medusa Stone @ The Pour House

House of Fools

Also, be sure to check out the Rock Report for a complete list of local shows happening in your area!

It’s Shack-a-thon on the NCSU Brickyard, so be sure to stop by and visit WKNC’s radio shack. You’ll also want to keep an ear on 88.1 for these freebies.

Sometimes we get cool giveaways from Live Nation and sometimes we get REALLY cool giveaways. Consider The Mars Volta in the second category. It’s a win-it-before-you-can-buy-it deal to see the experimental/progressive band Oct. 23 at the Disco Rodeo. Tickets go on sale this Friday, Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. exclusively at LiveNation.com if you don’t happen to be one of our lucky winners.

Other cool giveaways on tap this week include:

• Holy Ghost Tent Revival with House of Fools Sept. 23 at The Pour House
• Mae Sept. 24 at Cat’s Cradle

And you don’t need tickets to see The Future Kings of Nowhere this Thursday for WKNC’s Local Beer Local Band night at Tir Na Nog or I Was Totally Destroying It and Luego as we kick off Fridays on the Lawn.