Embers into fire. They gave us fever. And took us higher.
When a venue that’s normally dark on the day of the Lord opens, it must be for a very special reason. Such was the case for Hannah Fairlight, who brought her light and energy and positivity to The Underdog in East Nashville on Sunday, June 2.
Celebrating the release of Lone Wolf, her rip-roaring garage-rock fueled new album, Hannah treated attendees, friends, and family from across the country to an enthralling set that included all 13 songs from the album, which Guitar Girl Magazine championed as “flamboyant yet under careful control” with “sensual, Medusa-like vocals” that transfix listeners.
None more so than live, and in person, all eyes were on Fairlight and her band of accomplished sidemen. Joining her were lead guitarist Jeremy Asbrock, longtime touring guitarist for Ace Frehley and Gene Simmons Band; drummer and social media personality Ricky Ficarelli, who has over 30 million views on his YouTube channel; and bassist Paul DeFiglia, who has worked with Langhorne Slim and Will Hoge, and who produced the album, with Fairlight, at his studio, Daylight Studios.
For her part, as mistress of ceremonies, Fairlight fiercely commanded the stage, while switching between her trusty ’77 Stratocaster, her cherished acoustic, and her 88-key electric piano. Highlights included “Take Too Much,” “How Many Times,” and the sparse, intimate beauty of “Naked,” which she performed solo, the warm tone of her heartfelt vocals reverberating throughout the venue.
Soon thereafter, the crescendo for the evening was delivered in epic fashion. For the last song, the anthemic riff-driven, “Fever,” Fairlight invited pals Amy Darling and Caitlin Evanson (a violinist/musician known for her work with Taylor Swift, Ringo Starr, and Dave Stewart) to sing harmonies (a complete surprise to them). It was a fun full-circle moment as Darling and Evanson appear in the official video for “Fever” (youtu.be/CCu8sGGZzGM), along with in-demand model/stylist Maddy Laster and Sarah Tomek, drummer for Gretchen Wilson, Maggie Rose, and Them Vibes.
Opening the show were a pair of equally incredible artists. Brandy Zdan, who plays under the moniker ZDAN, exudes a powerful Garrison Starr meets Courtney Love presence and songwriting acumen, especially on “The Ones” and ”hell no!” and Nikki Barber, front-person of beloved indie rockers The Minks. For this occasion, Barber debuted her trio while surfing through some astonishing originals that had a Nirvana Unplugged feel while mixing in beguiling covers of The Hollies’ “The Air That I Breathe” and Neil Young’s “Love Is A Rose.”
Long live lone wolves, riot grrrl, and underdogs. May the air that we breathe continue to be a guiding light of all that is fair and just and right.
Hannah Fairlight at The Underdog in East Nashville on June 2, 2024 Playlist
Sum Ppl R Jerx
Take Too Much
Loser
Jaded
How Many Times
If Only You Could See Me
Emotional Men
Apologetic Me
Just Feel Better
Naked
Where
Lone Wolf
Fever (w/ Caitlin Evanson & Amy Darling)
CONNECT WITH HANNAH FAIRLIGHT, NIKKI BARBER AND BRANDY ZDAN
INSTAGRAM – HANNAH FAIRLIGHT
INSTAGRAM – NIKKI BARBER
INSTAGRAM – BRANDY ZDAN
Photos by Adrienne Pacheco https://www.instagram.com/amplifydphotos
