If there are three things you can count on in winter in Asheville, NC, it’s mild temperatures, a dip in tourism, and Big Something coming through for its annual two-night run at Salvage Station. The local-ish boys done good from Burlington, NC nurtured their relationship with the vibrant music mecca by bringing out several local artists throughout the run.
This weekend’s two-night Friday-Saturday stint marked the Asheville debut of bassist Matt Laird, who replaced longtime Big Something low-ender Doug Marshall last February, the first and only lineup change in Big Something’s 14-year history. Like they do for any out-of-town visitor, the Asheville crowd made Laird and the rest of the band feel welcome—no tour of the Biltmore required. Helping give off some of that famed Southern hospitality was local singer-songwriter Josh Phillips, who lent his voice to a trio of “Travelers”, “Starts to Rain”, and “Bob and Weave” to close out the first set of the weekend.
Saturday was locals’ night if there ever was one, kicking off with a set from hometown hero Isaac Hadden Organ Trio—featuring local legend Jeff Sipe (Aquarium Rescue Unit) subbing in on drums. The 21-year-old guitarist Isaac Hadden continues to build a word-of-mouth rep across the Southeast, growing akin to the Tasmanian Devil-like curly locks that spool down from his constantly head-banging cranium—Asheville’s answer to Brandon “Taz” Niederauer.
Local songstress Abby Bryant broke the ice as Big Something’s first guest on Saturday, joining for a soulful take on Marvin Gaye‘s “What’s Goin’ On?”. Then in the second set, without breaking stride on a jam out of “Timebomb”, Big Something swung the doors wide open for a cavalcade of outside contributors. All of Isaac Hadden Organ Trio joined in including ringer Jeff Sipe, who pushed his young contemporaries out past the break wall into uncharted waters of a deep, explorative jam for a highlight of the weekend.
Stream full-show video of nights one and two of Big Something at Salvage Station, as well as opening sets by The Riese Brothers and Isaac Hadden Organ Trio, thanks to community resource Iam AVL. Big Something will resurface on Thursday in Roanoke, VA for the next stop on the Headspace Tour. Tickets and a full list of tour dates are available on the band’s website.
Big Something – Salvage Station – Asheville, NC – 1/26/24 – Full Video
Big Something – Salvage Station – Asheville, NC – 1/27/24 – Full Video
The Ries Brothers– Salvage Station – Asheville, NC – 1/26/24 – Full Video
Isaac Hadden Organ Trio – Salvage Station – Asheville, NC – 1/27/24 – Full Video
Setlist: Big Something | Salvage Station | Asheville, NC | 1/26/23
Set One: Sirens > The Curse of Julia Brown, Tumbleweed, Clouds, Travelers [1], Starts to Rain [1], Bob and Weave [1]
Set Two: Song for Us, Heavy, Pinky’s Ride, Take Me Out (Franz Ferdinand), UFOs Are Real, Sundown Nomad, Algorithm
Encore: The Flood
[1] w/ Josh Phillips on vocals
Setlist: Big Something | Salvage Station | Asheville, NC | 1/27/23
Set One: Love Generator, Breakers, Waves, The Mountain, Chemistry, What’s Goin’ On? (Marvin Gaye) [1], Zombies
Set Two: Escape, Timebomb, Jam [2], Passenger, Megalodon, The Ghost Of Tom Joad (Bruce Springsteen), Evil Josh
Encore: Amanda Lynn
[1] w/ Abby Bryant
[2] w/ Isaac Hadden Organ Trio, Jeff Sipe on drums