Treasure Fest Benefit w/ Harvard, Robbers, Appalucia, Great Architect

The Milestone

April 1, 2011

The Deal: A couple of months ago, I got a friend request on Facebook from someone who called themself Treasure Fest. To be honest, I was a bit off-put, but after checking out their page and realizing they were an upcoming multi-venue music festival in Plaza-Midwood, I figured that it wouldn't hurt anything if I added them. Before I knew it, there were constant updates from them announcing band after band, local and regional, all of which were acts I would be stoked to see: Mose Giganticus, Hawks, Emotron, Andy the Doorbum, Yardwork… the list kept getting bigger and better and I kept getting more and more stoked that such an overwhelmingly amazing event was going to happen right in the heart of Plaza-Midwood in the beautiful month of May. As a means to help fundraise the festival, the Milestone volunteered their venue and Friday, April 1 they held a Treasure Fest benefit show that included Great Architect, Appalucia, Robbers and Harvard. It seemed like an obvious win-win situation — great music to support the gathering of great music.

The Good: While everyone got settled in with drinks and friends, Great Architect took the stage and began to play what would become, one long, seamless instrumental that caused the audience to admire their performance as they would admire an abstract painting. Great Architect is certainly worthy of their name; creating the stimulation you would derive from attempting to thoroughly examine a blueprint of an architectural masterpiece. The band's music is beautifully organized chaos composed of sax, trombone, guitar, cello, violin and lap steel guitar radiating avant-garde but jazzy scores. As shrill noises projected from strings, warm tones came from the brass and their drummer complimented it all with stumbly drums and a foundation of wispy cymbals. Listening to them was not only music; it was an experience all together.

After all of us had collected ourselves and processed the eclectic experience we had just shared, Appalucia was set up and taking their places. The crowd slowly gathered back around the stage to experience the prodigious version of country music that was emanating throughout the venue. Even if you are not a fan of the genre, you will surely appreciate this six-piece mound of musical skill. They are the ultimate combination of instruments and musicians behind them. Buck with his banjo, Geoff on violin, Cory playing mandolin, Andy's acoustic guitar, Ian's stand up bass and Kevin rockin' drums paired with Andy, Corey and Buck's united raspy vocals carried us away in the slow numbers and left us tapping our feet and tallboy to the more hoppin' rhythm and melodies like their country cover of GG Allin's “I Kill Everything I Fuck.” Appalucia's uproarious energy makes you want to get drunk and wade in the muddy Catawba river, helping us all remember that even though Charlotte grew into a white collar bank city, we are still the South.

From South to North, Robbers, who traveled from Brooklyn, were next to (ironically) deliver us a breath of fresh air. A beautiful compilation of three electric guitars, bass and drums wafted music upon us like a fresh spring breeze. While their music was original, I couldn't help but notice hints of inspiration that had to have come from Cursive. From low, light melodies to intense, bass driving breakdowns they brought us to sheer, indie bliss as their barefooted singer/guitarist caressed the microphone with his voice and let his limbs fly while he expressed his words atop of a tiramisu of melodies. The band quite lovingly fed off of their music as they produced a similar crowd reaction. We couldn't help but want to pound our feet to the deep drums as the band played on. It was their first time in Charlotte and if first impressions are the most accurate, they must be freaking amazing. I can only hope that they will come back soon.

Always a pleasure, Harvard closed out the night with a (surprise, surprise) flawless set. One thing is certain; when they perform you are guaranteed to have great music and crowd interaction. Their catchy compilation of guitars, bass, keys, voice and drums was perfectly delivered as if you were listening to a well-equalized recording. The way they delicately deliver their notes radiates the true potential of heartfelt indie music's unique way of reflecting emotion. The power these boys project is indescribable and simply cannot be questioned, even by those that aren't a fan of their style. During one of their new songs, spectators near the stage fervently reached towards the sound, trying to feel something tangible from the energy it created as they swung their bodies to the rhythms carrying through the room. Honestly, what can I say about them that hasn't already been said before? They do what they do and they do it well.

The Bad: Nada.

The Verdict: I cannot even lie; every band killed it and provided us with a musical journey that we can only hope to relive sometime. The night was a marvelous one and a nice little slice of the delicious music pie Treasure Fest will bring to us. While Appalucia and Harvard are the only two bands from this bill that will be playing the festival, Great Architect and Robbers are totally worth your listening time and will hopefully be playing again soon. Be sure to pick up your Treasure Fest tickets on their website or at Lunchbox Records, where you can also purchase Appalucia's new record. It is truly stellar that our city is hosting such an enormous mix of talent so come out and live the melodic adventure. Even if we're lucky enough to have another Treasure Fest in the future, its birth will only happen once.

Appalucia set list

This Land

Bears

Bet it All

I Kill Everything I Fuck

Sunday Morning Repeat

What Man Would Want You Now

Run Devil Run

I Like Beer

Believe in God (If Y'ant To)

In dem Hills

Satan Get Offa

Face Down

Righteous Man

Grandma

Liquor House (Right Now)

Ding-a-Ling

Robbers set List

Fire

Sweet Tooth

Warfare/Warfarce

Mother Monster

Eager

Felt Within You

Ugly Savy

Fear to Face Beauty

Flesh

Harvard set list

I the Frightener

On With Disease

Mr. Teeth

New Song #1 (untitled)

End Weight

Ghost!

New Song #2 (untitled)

French Girls