Eddie 9V Brings Blues Back to The Neighborhood

A night overflowing with soul-stirring and bluesy tunes 

Eddie 9 Volt left his soul in Memphis for his debut album in 2019, but he sure didn’t leave it behind on his 2024 Tour.  In fact, I think he brought a little extra with him on his stop in Charlotte. I had the pleasure of seeing him back in November when he opened for Grace Potter. This time headlining at Neighborhood Theatre, we got to soak in 90 minutes of his distinctive riffs, licks, and soulful vocals. If you love blues music, captivating lyrics, and want to feel nostalgic, then I highly recommend taking some time to dive into his discography. While he reminds me of Muddy Waters and Freddie King, he expresses his own unique take on old-school blues. Eddie’s roots run deep in Georgia where he was born, raised, and joined the roots and blues circuit full time at the age of 15. Despite being 23 when he released his debut album, this guy is an old soul. You can feel his energy flow through the venue and you can hear it flow through his veins onto the guitar strings. 

The set opened up with the successful single, “Little Black Flies” (title track to the highly rated 2021 album) and it captured the audience with a passionate energy that lasted throughout the entire show. He also gifted us with a few new songs that have yet to be released and something tells me they’re going to be fan favorites based on the crowd’s reactions. Songs like “Beg Borrow and Steal” and “Lo-fi Love” have a playful energy to them and they are perfect examples of some of the more modern blues tracks that Eddie has released. They exude a retro atmosphere while staying grounded in the heart of blues music. If you ever get a chance to see him live, take it. He’s a legend in the making.

“To make his listeners smile and let the music make them forget – or remember” is a quote by Eddie that proved to be true when I looked across the room and saw everyone hanging on every note. Many fans traveled from neighboring states, one fan even saw him the night before and decided that one night wasn’t enough. So he spontaneously drove 5 hours with his friend to see him again. That’s exactly what happens when you listen to Eddie 9V – his will move your soul, leave you feeling better than how you came in and ready for any adventure. (You may even leave with some collard greens and oxtails)

Eddie closes out his set with his encore song “Yella Aligator” from his latest LP, “Capricorn” which was definitely a crowd favorite. Fans in the front row were swaying side to side, spilling their drinks with their hands in the air and barely able to stand after dancing all night. I’d call that a successful concert. At the end of the night, everyone lined up at the merch table to meet and greet with the band and you could feel the love and appreciation being exchanged. If you’re in need of a night off and want to kick back, let loose, and pour your soul out on the floor – Eddie 9V is your guy to see. If you missed him this time, you can catch him in Charlotte again on March 16th opening for The Motet during Green River Revival at USNWC. He will also be continuing his 2024 tour in Asheville at The Grey Eagle on March 7th.

See the Full Gallery of the Night Here!

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