CONCERT REVIEW: Country Rock in the Holy City

Charleston has many great loves: a love of churches, a love of Southern charm, and a love of music. When you roll all three of these passions into one, you put together a great show. This was evident at last weekend's Holy City Cold Heart Revival.

The concert, in its third year, attracted local and regional bands that bring their unusual country tones together. Dedicated fans braved the cold and rain Saturday night to support their friends and show their love of the music they performed.

The Pour House on James Island hosted the event that was founded by Jamie Resch and Lindsay Holler. The artists have been involved with the event both as organizers and performers. Resch said the bands in this concert revive the roots of old country.

The Pour House featured two stages, with bands starting every half-hour. There was no point in the early evening that a band was not playing. Quasiphonics, Harrison Ray and Mac Leaphart kept their fans entertained in the rain on the outside stage, while American Aquarium, Kentucky Shoes, Shovels and Rope, Justin Townes Earle, and Lindsay Holler & the Western Polaroids rocked the inside stage.

Each band provided its twist on old country. "I'm happy to be a part of it," said Leaphart, who was performing for the first time at the event. He described his style music as being "roots music, Americana." Leaphart was one of three performers who were solo acts with one or two musicians backing them up. Harrison Ray performed on his acoustic guitar while playing a harmonica. Earle of Nashville, Tenn., turned the inside of the Pour House into a street dance with his happy, deep Southern bluegrass style of music.

American Aquarium of Raleigh performed for the third straight year. The multi-talented band featured a steel guitar, keyboard, drums and bass with lead and rhythm guitars. They performed some old-fashioned country with a flare of rockabilly.

Another band to bring rockabilly was Lindsay Holler and the Western Polaroids. They also featured an impressive collection of instruments including a 6-foot upright bass, accordion and drums with their own lead and rhythm guitars.

More soft, romantic music was featured with Quasphonics and Kentucky Shoes, the band with co-founder Resch.

Quasphonics was a simple band with a ukulele and guitar. Two female singers provided a soft, warm atmosphere that brought couples to their feet to dance in the rain. Joel Starbuck and Debbie Hamrick of Love Alley, N.C., said that they loved visiting Charleston, and their love of music brought them out to the Pour House.

Resch had a voice that would bring tears to your eyes with her soft melodies.

Carry Ann Hearst, a local favorite, played with Michel Trent in the band known as Shovels and Rope. She proved why she was a Charleston favorite with her flare on the stage and finding anything to bang her tambourine on. Even a broken wire in the middle of her song didn't douse her spirits as she used her charm to keep the crowd alive.

Whether you are fan of country music or not, the bands of the Holy City Cold Heart Revival made everybody feel welcome. Truly it is the music that brings us together.