The Los Angeles, CA-based quartet Circles Around The Sun delivered a high-energy performance of original tunes rooted in jazz-funk, soul, and fusion at the Brooklyn Bowl in New York, NY on Saturday, March 2, 2024. So good, in fact, that the venue owner got on stage to rally for a second encore. Mikaela Davis and Southern Star were on hand to provide support.
Circles Around The Sun originally formed to create music for the Grateful Dead's final tour, Fare Thee Well. The project was so well received, that the band began releasing original music and has soldiered on despite losing founding guitarist Neal Casal. The large crowd at the Brooklyn Bowl was certainly a testament to this band's recent achievements. The current lineup included guitarist Shannon Lee, keyboardist Adam MacDougall, bassist Dan Horne, and drummer Mark Levy.
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The music began with Harpist Mikaela Davis and Southern Star. Her band comprised drummer Alex Cote, guitarist Cian McCarthy, bassist Shane McCarthy, and steel guitarist Kurt Johnson. They presented a melodic mix of '60s pop-soaked melodies, psychedelia, and driving folk rock with the harp cleverly woven throughout. Their set incorporated a stellar version of "The Wheel" by the Grateful Dead.
The show continued as Circles Around The Sun took the stage, and kicked off their set with blues rock and pop-infused "Away Team," from their recent 2023 Language. The disco-inspired "Money's No Option," from their self-titled 2020 album Circles Around The Sun, followed. MacDougall emanated tasty synth layers into this dance-friendly tune.
The melodic "Third Sunrise Over Gliese 667," another recent release from Language, sounded reminiscent of Pink Floyd at times. The dance beats were back in full swing during "Landline Memories." The energy mellowed for a much needed chill moment during "Immovable Object." This proved short lived as Lee was quickly raging on guitar. The synth and guitar came back together nicely at the end of this seventeen-minute tune.
Two more tunes from Circles Around The Sun were up next, starting with "Detriot Dos." Levy showed his skills on the kit during this drum heavy tune that eventually descended into "Space." "Babyman" brought the crowd back into funky, dancing beats.
David decided to join the party, and played harp on the three remaining tunes of the set, starting with "After Sunrise." She recently collaborated with the band for their Language release. "Gloaming Way" brought a vibrant combination of blues guitar with the softer harp. The set ended on a particularly funky note with "Language."
The band stepped off stage, and returned for what appeared to be their final tune, "One For Chuck." Club owner Peter Shapiro quickly hopped on stage and rallied for another tune. The band obliged, much to the delight of the crowd, and ended this fun show well past the midnight hour.
Circles Around The Sun are back in action tonight in Portland, ME at the Portland House of Music and Events. Tickets are available via this link. Hop on over to their tour page for more tour dates.
Check out more photos from the show!
Set: Intro/Tuning, Away Team, Money's No Option, Third Sunrise Over Gliese 667, Landline Memories, Immovable Object, Detroit Dos -> Space, Babyman, After Sunrise1, Gloaming Way1, Language1
Encore: One For Chuck
Notes: 1 - with Mikaela Davis on harp/vocals
