Parmalee rolled through Jordan on Saturday, February 21st, bringing the fans at Kegs Canalside a stunning performance filled with home town vibes and sing-along crowd favorites.
Walking into a Parmalee show feels exciting, knowing you’re in for a great performance from the well-seasoned performers. The cold weather didn’t stop the fans from coming out early. The parking lots were packed just after the door’s opening. The venue filled up early as the eager fans arrived, many with cowboy hats, holding signs that said “We Love You Parmalee.”
Kicking off the night was Syracuse native Jamie Lynn. Opening the night with a fun rendition of Sara Evans “Suds In The Bucket,” she commanded the crowds attention as they were drawn to her stage presence and musicianship right away. Her renditions of Shania Twain’s “Any Man Who Knows,” and Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” sat well with the fans as eyes were glued to the stage and dancing became inevitable. Jamie did an impressive job of setting the tone for the night, making the Keg’s crowd feel intrigued and welcomed.
Following Jamie’s performance was the Custom Taylor Band, also from the Syracuse area. Fronted by lead singer Chris Taylor the band commanded attention from the start. Their rendition of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues,” sat well with the fans as it gave them an old school feel mixed with a modern upbeat clash. Chris continuously thanked the Kegs fans for having the band as they cheered and welcomed them with open arms. Songs like “Ain’t My Fault” by Brothers Osborne, and “Wagon Wheel” by Darius Rucker set the tone for their set, as they had that kind of gritty yet heartfelt feel to their music. The band ended their set with a stunning rendition of “Devil Went Down To Georgia.”
As the band’s set came to an end more and more fans piled into Kegs Canalside as the highly anticipated Parmalee was about to take the stage. The venue grew dark and cheers from the crowd rose as the band made their entrance. The roar from the crowd was electric, the kind of magnitude where you can’t hear yourself think. The band kicked off their set with “Girl In Mine,” and it became apparent right away that the fans were more than ready as they sang along. During mid-set, “Carolina” became one of the loudest moments of the night as lead singer Matt Thomas held the mic out to the crowd to let them sing every word. The band brought a mix of small town country vibes, with pop and piano rock in their rendition of Train’s “Drops Of Jupiter.” They brought a tight yet laid-back stage presence that blended professional musicianship with hometown friendliness. At one point during the show the band switched things up and performed a cover of ‘Yeah” by Usher and the floor turned into a full blown dance party.
Between songs, Parmalee did a great job of encouraging sing-alongs, especially during “Carolina.” Lead vocalist Matt Thomas was very engaging throughout, often walking to the front of the stage between songs to chat about the band’s journey, making everyone feel like they were just right at a hometown party rather than a big venue.
Parmalee’s show at Kegs was a high-energy, deeply enjoyable country live experience with just the right mix of hits, new material, and crowd interaction. They played like seasoned pros but kept the intimacy and charm letting fans sing, dance, and feel like part of the night rather than just spectators. The band ended the night with “Take My Name.”…