With a sound that turns the human experience into a unique blend that can only be described as psychedelic bluegrass Kitchen Dwellers return to the Higher Ground stage.
Fans lined the barricade marking their spots in the Higher Ground Ballroom as The Mallett Brothers Band stepped on stage. The band opened with a lively song “Vive l’acadie!” off their album Vive L’acadie! With a steady beat and classic bluegrass vibe the audience was quickly dancing around and with fans of the band singing along with every song. Lead singers Luke and Will Mallett led the audience through several of their original songs, with the support of Nick Lean on bass, Brian Higgins on drums, and Andrew Martelle on fiddle and piano. The band performed several songs off their newest album Higher Up in the Hills including the single “Nothin’s Working” and “Lighter”. Before jumping into some of the bands older hits for long time fans. Performing songs off their albums Lights Along the River from 2015, Land from 2013, and even the band’s debut self-titled album from back in 2010. The Mallet Brothers Band connected with old and new fans reaching band through their immense discography.
The band has been touring together since 2009 leading to a fanbase spread all around the United States far from their local scene in Maine. The band is currently supporting Kitchen Dwellers for a few shows on their tour. This show at Higher Ground is the fourth and final show they will be playing with Kitchen Dwellers, although The Mallett Brothers Band show run for 2025 still has a few dates between late November and early December.
With a classic Americana sound the band captured the audience with intense solos and songs meant for dancing. The Mallett Brothers Bands sound is a unique blend pulling inspiration from singer/songwriter, hard rock, classic country, and psychedelic sounds. The recognition given to both classic and modern sounds give the Mallett Brothers Band an individual sound caught between both eras.
Kitchen Dwellers combines a unique blend of folk, bluegrass, psychedelia. and rock into an immersive and intricate sound. Band members Shawn Swain (Mandolin), Torrin Daniels (Banjo), Joe Funk (Upright Bass), and Max Davies (Acoustic Guitar) use their incredible stage presence, intense sound, and group chemistry to grab the attention of anyone listening.
The band opened their set with their song “This Time” a plucky and upbeat tune from their debut album Ghost in the Bottle. Highlighting the upbeat and classic bluegrass aspects of Kitchen Dwellers’ music the song had the audience immediately singing along and dancing energetically. Flowing right into their second song titled “I’m Still Here” a song by John Hartford but a common cover that the band performs often. Continuing their set the band continued to perform while the audience danced and sang along. The energy swelled as the band started strumming the intro to “Smokestack” an original off the album Wise River fans throughout the crowd were screaming and dancing to the high energy upbeat song.
Fans were in for a treat however as the band brought out musician Adam Frehm to perform the final three songs of their set. Bringing up a lap steel guitar Adam joined Kitchen Dwellers for a heartfelt yet rowdy performance of their song “Gypsy”, “Cadillac Cowboy” by Chris LeDoux, and “EMD” by David Grisman. The band performed a stunning encore of “Hey, Hey, What Can I Do” by Led Zeppelin.
KITCHEN DWELLERS
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THE MALLETT BROTHERS BAND
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HIGHER GROUND
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