Photos and Review by Sarah Smith
The Ghost of Paul Revere photos HERE
Lady Lamb photos HERE
The Ballroom Thieves photos HERE
I will never forget the Ballroom Thieves. For a three member band, they certainly delivered an extensive sound to a sold out show on New Years Eve. I had never heard of them before until that evening and I wanted to put them under the category as Folk. But as they played their set I realized they were more Rock with a touch of Blues. What I loved about their positions on stage was a sort of triangle shape; there was no lead band member and they all sang together in harmony. They talked to one another, laughing and speaking of how happy they were to be in Portland, Maine. However. I do wish they had a little more interaction with the crowd. Callie Peters was fascinating to me; her vocals were warm and welcoming as she stood behind her cello, delivering a marvelous sound. I highly recommend the Thieves, this trio was made for each other and they did not disappoint.
Following the Thieves was Lady Lamb. As I stood in front of the stage, a girl known as Aly Spaltro silently stepped out and began singing and playing guitar. The whole house was dark except for one stage light that created a circle of light around her as she sang. It was an intimate setting as the crowd grew silent to listen to her play. She was small and delicate, but her voice was strong and confident. She played a one song solo after which the rest of the band came out to join her to begin playing their set. This was yet another trio I would categorize as Indie Rock. Aly rarely engaged with the crowd, except towards the end when she delivered a quick moment of gratitude towards everyone who came out to see them play. Since they were in their hometown, she joked that if anyone in the crowd went to high school with her then she definitely wanted them to come say hi at the merch table after the show.
To finish 2015 and welcome in the new year was the Ghost of Paul Revere. The four men walked out on stage all dressed in white three piece suits. Their hometown crowd welcomed them with clapping and cheering as they waved and smiled and the eased into their foot-stomping set for the evening. This group had energy and warm harmonies that immediately sent their crowd into a massive dance party. Strangers were becoming friends as the Ghosts’ played on through 2015’s remaining minutes. I found it interesting that the four members stood next to each other in a close line. They all sang together in harmony rather than with one lead singer. An interesting element to their sound was the absence of drums. All these guys needed was a banjo, guitar, bass and the lovely touch of a harmonica. As midnight grew closer and the crowd grew more intoxicated, the Ghosts took a minute to thank everyone for coming to spend New Years Eve with them and joined everyone in a ten second count down. As midnight struck hundreds of balloons fell through the ceiling as everyone stretched out their arms to the sky. Even the two opening bands came out on stage to sing and enjoy the massive party. Everyone cheered and continued dancing as the band continued their last remaining songs of the evening.
The Ghost of Paul Revere – The State Theater – ME
