Signed to Big Machine Label Group, Delta Rae is currently hosting a weekly residency every Wednesday night beginning at 8pm through December at The Basement.
The Durham, North Carolina natives who formed as a band 9 years ago is comprised of siblings, Ian Hölljes, Eric Hölljes, and Brittany Hölljes, as well as Elizabeth Hopkins, Mike McKee, and Grant Emerson.
What I have always loved about Delta Rae from the first time I saw them perform is the energy and passion they always bring to the stage. As great as they sound on their recorded music, they are a band that really needs to be seen in-person to fully appreciate their music. On the stage is where they really shine and there is nobody else out there like them. That is why the weekly residency called the Delta Rae Revival is the perfect opportunity to see them.
The Delta Rae Revival is a fun southern gothic theme set inside what they have created as the haunted chapel. It fits their swampy, folky sound perfectly and is pure unadulterated fun. You forget that you are in Nashville and are transported to an old, abandoned, haunted chapel in the deep south somewhere deep within the swamps of Louisiana.
You are first greeted by an old time southern preacher preaching from his pulpit. Stained glass windows and old style lanterns decorate the dim, almost cave-like atmosphere of The Basement located off 8th Ave. South beneath Grimey’s Record Store.
Delta Rae is joined each week by special guests opening the night for them. This show featured 18-year-old Payton Smith with his full band, whose stage presence and guitar skills command the room. He comes across far more seasoned than his mere 18 years and is an artist to keep your eye on. Following Smith’s high energy, full band performance, Adam Wakefield took to the stage with an acoustic set. Probably should have been swapped in order of performance with Wakefield opening up the night since it is a tough for acoustic to follow a full band performance due to always more subdued regardless of who you are. However, the extremely talented THE VOICE alum with his soulful vocals held his own.
The show started at 8pm with the opening artists and by 930pm when Delta Rae took to the stage, the crowd was packed to capacity spilling far out into the lobby area where you only get a limited view of what is going on, so arrive early when the doors open at 730pm to snag a good spot to view the show and grab yourself a drink. It’s worth it and such a treat!
You only have through December to see Delta Rae’s residency. Don’t miss it! It really is a lot of fun filled with great performances.
DELTA RAE embodies both the light and dark of Southern storytelling with their music … Dynamic interludes. Hushed tones. Bombastic drums. Angelic serenades. Primal vocals. Honing the eclectic style in front of an increasing congregation at headlining shows and coveted festival slots over the last decade, the band brings their 16-week residency to The Basement (1604 8th Ave S.) in Nashville this fall. The North Carolina-bred six-piece troupe had announced the initial round of openers: Austin Jenckes, Adam Wakefield, Baylor Wilson, Carolina Story, Carolina Glaser, Carrie Welling, Chloe Gilligan, Dallas Caroline, Emma Hern, Hannah Dasher, Jaden Michaels, Jillette Johnson, Josh Jenkins, Joel Levi, Kalie Shorr, Katie Cole, Kitty Hawk, Lainey Wilson, Lauren Jenkins, Levon, Liz Longley, Payton Smith, Sarahbeth Taite, Southern Avenue, The Last Bandoleros and The Redhill Valleys.
