Soulive kicked off their first of two nights at the Ardmore Music Hall in Ardmore, PA–just outside of Philadelphia–last night, marking their first shows of 2018. Following last week’s release of their highly-anticipated Cinematics, Vol. 1–their first collection of new music in six years–the anticipation for this weekend’s shows were palpable. Unfortunately, crazy weather took over the northeast last night that caused delays and/or cancellations in the travels of many. To make up for those who had to miss last night’s show, which featured legendary guitarist John Scofield, the band added a third show to their run. All ticketholders who missed last night’s show will be granted access to this afternoon’s matinee. With doors opening at 12:30pm, the music is slated to start around 1pm. Tickets will be available at the door.
The band, comprised of guitarist Eric Krasno, keyboardist/organist Neal Evans, and drummer Alan Evans, has long been a highly sought-after act for more nearly two decades. In recent years, however, the band has played less and less dates, predominantly restricting their U.S. performance schedule to their semi-annual Brooklyn Bowl residency (known as “Bowlive“) and a handful of festival dates.
In the meantime, the group’s prolific individual members have kept busy with a variety of other projects. Neal continues to tour the world with Lettuce and Alan has helped spawn new groups like Matador! Soul Sounds (featuring members of The New Mastersounds, Pimps of Joytime, Orgone, and more). Eric has maintained his usual jack-of-all-trades work schedule, leading his own Eric Krasno Band, continuing to play select dates with Lettuce, and helping lead collaborative projects with everyone from Phil Lesh to John Scofield to members of The Meters, producing albums from groups like The Marcus King Band and The Motet, and lending his songwriting abilities to GRAMMY-nominated records from Robert Randolph & The Family Band and Tedeschi Trucks Band.
The Ardmore Music Hall shows mark a rare hard-ticket, non-Bowlive run for the band, who look to be once again ramping up their performance schedule for the coming year. If you missed last night, make sure not to miss today’s show. Tonight, Soulive will once again take the stage with DJ Williams’ Shots Fired, featuring members of Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, The Greyboy Allstars, Rubblebucket, Slightly Stoopid, and The Roots.