Pit-Dweller Media | Blog | Washington, D.C., United States

Enslow’s Album Release Party for 'Crush' Lights Up The Recher in Towson, MD | 10.24.25

Nate Payne
Nov 9

Photos & Words by: Nate Payne

Baltimore’s rising modern-pop force, Enslow, brought a jolt of electricity to Towson last month, celebrating the release of Crush with a commanding performance at The Recher. Enslow opened the evening for regional favorites Pressing Strings, but by the time she wrapped her set, it was clear she had already carved out a spotlight of her own.

Enslow | The Recher | Towson, MD | Nate Payne Photography | 10.24.25

Taking the stage with the confidence of a pop-star hitting her stride, Enslow wasted no time diving into selections from CRUSH. The shimmering, slow-burn intensity of “Feels Like I'm Falling In Love” set the tone, building from intimate vocals into a soaring finale that drew the audience in close. From there, the energy only climbed. “Dizzy,” with its pulsing rhythm and infectious pop dynamics, had the room moving almost instantly - heads bobbing, feet shifting, and the first cheers bubbling up between verses.

One of the night’s unmistakable peaks came with Enslow’s bold, high-gloss cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Little Lies.” What began as a respectful nod to the original quickly transformed into a modern, synth-charged explosion of harmonies and tight instrumentation. By the final chorus, The Recher crowd was roaring with hands lifted, voices raised, and a shared sense that they were witnessing a group of performers stepping confidently into a bigger future.

What set Enslow apart throughout the night wasn’t just her polished sound, but the precision and joy with which she delivered it. Each track added another layer to the room’s energy, culminating in an eruption of cheers as the band left the stage. Opening acts rarely walk away with a near-headliner reaction, but Enslow managed exactly that.

The momentum won’t slow anytime soon. Enslow continues her 2025 run through the end of December, including a Washington, D.C. show at DC( date alongside Astronaut Class and The Soularites—a lineup poised to showcase their versatility to an even broader crowd.

If the CRUSH release show proved anything, it’s that Enslow isn’t simply emerging from Baltimore’s vibrant music scene, they’re rapidly becoming one of its defining names. With performances this captivating, audiences will be seeing a whole lot more of Enslow very soon.

Enslow Social Media

Enslow | The Recher Theatre | Towson, MD | Nate Payne Photography | 10.24.25

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Blues, Rock, and Roots: Tedeschi Trucks Band and Whiskey Myers Co-Headline Wolf Trap | 8.29.25

Nate Payne
Sep 1

Photos & Words by: Nate Payne

This past Friday, the Filene Center at Wolf Trap National Park in Vienna, Virginia, was electrified by the soulful sounds of the Tedeschi Trucks Band. Hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, the powerhouse ensemble led by the husband-and-wife duo of guitarist Derek Trucks and vocalist Susan Tedeschi brought a night of fiery musicianship and communal energy that reminded audiences why they’ve become one of the most respected live acts in modern rock and blues.

**Tedeschi Trucks Band | Wolf Trap | Nate Payne Photography | 8.29.25**

The Wolf Trap shows, two evenings co-headlined with southern rock outfit Whiskey Myers marked a highlight of the band’s extensive North American tour, which stretches through October. On Friday night, Tedeschi Trucks Band opened the co-bill, handing the Saturday night opening slot to Whiskey Myers, a clever pairing that showcased two groups carrying the torch for roots-driven American music in different but complementary ways.

**Whiskey Myers | Wolf Trap | Nate Payne Photography | 8.29.25**

What makes Tedeschi Trucks Band such a rare force is the collective spirit they channel on stage. It’s almost as if there is a solitary music hive mind always working in unison. This is no ordinary blues-rock lineup, it’s a 12-piece ensemble where every player’s contribution is essential. Derek Trucks, long hailed as one of the greatest slide guitarists of his generation, delivered shimmering solos with both technical mastery and raw emotion. By his side, Susan Tedeschi’s voice, equal parts grit, grace, and gospel carried the band’s anthems with her signature vocal power that makes her one of the greats of soul, rhythm and blues.

The band’s deep bench of talent was on full display throughout the set. Gabe Dixon’s Hammond B-3 swells and vocal harmonies added depth to the arrangements, while the trio of Mike Mattison, Mark Rivers, and Alecia Chakour brought their vocal richness that turned choruses into full-throated celebrations. Rhythm section anchors Brandon Boone on bass and the dual drummers Tyler Greenwell and Isaac Eady kept the groove both tight and expansive, giving the music a heartbeat that drives the rhythmic engine of the band. Meanwhile, the horn section, Kebbi Williams on saxophone, Elizabeth Lea on trombone, and Emmanuel Echem on trumpet, each added their own one-of-a-kind flavor to each jam.

Crazy Cry’n opened the night with a surge, setting the tone for the evening. The band covered I Feel So Bad by Chuck Willis and eventually Derek and the Dominos’ Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad?. Later, Until You Remember brought a soulful, introspective moment that highlighted Tedeschi’s ability to turn a ballad into a collective emotional journey.

Set List: Tedeschi Trucks Band | Wolf Trap | 8.29.25

Crazy Cryin'

The Letter - The Box Tops cover

Who Am I

I Feel So Bad - Chuck Willis cover

Devil Be Gone

Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad? - Derek and the Dominos cover

Until You Remember

Isaac/Kebbi Jam

Let Me Get By

Future Soul

Angel From Montgomery - John Prine cover

Sugaree - Jerry Garcia cover

I Want More

Soul Sacrifice - Santana cover

I Walk on Guilded Splinters - Dr. John cover

Source: Tedeschi Trucks Instagram Artwork by: @maarten.donders

What separates Tedeschi Trucks Band from many of their peers is their ability to bridge tradition with reinvention. Their concerts are less about performing a catalog and more about creating a living, breathing musical experience one that borrows from blues, rock, jazz, and soul, but refuses to be confined by any of them.

As their Wolf Trap run concludes alongside Whiskey Myers, it’s clear that Tedeschi Trucks Band remains at the peak of their creative and performative powers. For fans, the performances were not just concerts, but a reminder of the enduring power of live music to move, uplift, and unite. Each time I see this band they bring a renewed component of musical expertise that has kept their sound fresh and dynamic for nearly two decades. For more information about Tedeschi Trucks Band, visit the links below.

Tedeschi Trucks Band Social Media

Tedeschi Trucks Band | Wolf Trap | Nate Payne Photography | 8.29.25

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From Debut to Dominance: The Struts Mark 10 Years of "Everybody Wants" at The Anthem in Washington D.C. | 8.17.25

Nate Payne
Aug 20

Photos & Words by: Nate Payne

Washington, D.C.’s Wharf was alive with glitter and guitar riffs Sunday night as British glam rockers The Struts stormed The Anthem, celebrating the 10-year anniversary of their breakthrough debut album Everybody Wants. The show, which featured a fiery opening set from Los Angeles hard rock outfit Dirty Honey, marked a highlight on the band’s current North American tour, running through the end of September 2025.

The Struts | The Anthem | Washington, D.C. | Nate Payne Photography | 8.17.25

Dirty Honey kicked things off with their blues-soaked brand of rock ‘n’ roll, led by vocalist Marc LaBelle’s gritty delivery and guitarist John Notto’s searing solos. Their high-octane performance primed the crowd, building anticipation for the glam spectacle to follow. By the time The Struts hit the stage, The Anthem was already buzzing with the kind of electricity only a double bill of unapologetic rock bands can generate.

Alanis Morisette | Merriweather Post Pavilion | Nate Payne Photography | 6.30.24 — Dirty Honey | The Anthem | Washington, D.C. | Nate Payne Photography | 8.17.25

Dirty Honey | The Anthem | Washington, D.C. | Nate Payne Photography | 8.17.25

Frontman Luke Spiller, often likened to a modern-day Freddie Mercury, commanded the stage with the swagger and theatrical flair that have become his calling card. Dressed in a black suit and bedazzled shirt, Spiller electrified the packed house from the moment he bounded onto the stage and dove into Prima Donna. Guitarist Adam Slack’s infectious riffs, bassist Jed Elliott’s driving low end, and drummer Gethin Davies’ pounding rhythms gave the performance its muscle, ensuring that The Anthem’s walls reverberated with pure rock energy.

The night paid tribute to Everybody Wants, the 2014 debut that catapulted The Struts into the international spotlight. Songs like “Could Have Been Me,” “Kiss This,” and “Put Your Money on Me” drew thunderous sing-alongs, as longtime fans reveled in the nostalgia of the record that defined the band’s arrival. Yet the setlist also showcased the band’s evolution, weaving in material from their more recent albums and proving that The Struts are far from a nostalgia act.

Since bursting onto the scene, The Struts have carved out a reputation as one of rock’s most electrifying live bands. Their resume is studded with opening slots for rock royalty including The Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, and Guns N’ Roses—a testament to the group’s ability to hold their own alongside the genre’s giants. A decade in, they’ve continued to refine their craft while embracing the flamboyance and showmanship that define the glam rock tradition.

For fans at The Anthem, the performance felt like both a victory lap and a promise of more to come. The Struts’ energy and connection with the crowd reaffirmed why they’ve become torchbearers of rock spectacle in an era hungry for big, unapologetic rock performances. As the band continues their North American tour through the end of September, their 10-year celebration of Everybody Wants doubles as a reminder: glam rock is alive, well, and very much in the hands of The Struts. For additional details, visit the links below.

The Struts Social Media

The Struts | The Anthem | Washington, D.C. | Nate Payne Photography | 8.17.25

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MUSIC WILL SAVE US ALL