The Ante Room, a hole-in-the-wall venue in downtown Charlottesville, is easy to miss while driving along Main Street. The outside doesn’t attract attention, and the list of performers is not typically one the average music listener would recognize. Inside, however, lies a group of musicians dedicated to their craft, rocking out to sounds that could only leave the small audience asking how more people hadn’t discovered this establishment hidden in plain sight.
Sunday night, the bands at The Ante Room — specifically International Friendly and New Boss — showed a sense of camaraderie largely unseen in major shows. The two groups even shared a bass player in Scott Ritchie. Visiting band Pill followed suit in this amicable and approachable atmosphere, especially their drummer who mingled with the crowd before and after his performance. As a whole, the atmosphere was an added bonus to the already inviting and approachable feel of the concert.
Soon, International Friendly took the stage. Lead singer Drew Carroll, who sang for the last time in Charlottesville as he prepares to move to Nashville, rocked the venue with passionate vocals while the rest of the group powered the beat along. The band proved to be one local individuals should keep an eye on, as they go their separate ways after the show.
New Boss then stepped on, featuring Media Studies Prof. Nicholas Rubin on keyboard. The group jammed out to their own blend of classic and modern rock. New Boss sounded fantastic as a cohesive whole, but each individual injected their own personality as well, especially through quirky dance moves complementing the music. The group proved to be yet another phenomenal band in the local Charlottesville music scene.
Pill — a New York City punk rock band that has gained national attention — closed the show with a much harder rock feel than the two other groups. The saxophone in the group — played by Ben Jaffe — along with singer Veronica Torres’ emotional vocals, gave them a very unique sound. The up-and-coming band has released one EP, which is available for purchase online.
The Charlottesville music scene is a vibrant one that more students should take time to explore. The sounds are unlike any found on the likes of Spotify or iTunes, with an added environment that is welcoming to all those who are interested. All three bands that performed at The Ante Room Sunday are well worth a listen for anyone who could spare a short trip downtown for a unique off-Grounds experience.
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