Kitty, Daisy & Lewis Play SummerStage

Well, the city of swelter is finally starting to cool off. But sadly, that welcome reprieve from the heat and humidity means that SummerStage’s stellar 30th season is also winding to a close. Kitty, Daisy & Lewis opened for Lake Street Dive on Wednesday night in the last free show of the year.

Eschewing synthesizers and other modern sound modification techniques, Kitty, Daisy & Lewis prefer to kick it old-school with old-timey tunes, a peculiar panache, and as many musical instruments as possible. The multitalented Durham siblings jump from piano to guitar, banjo to bass, and ukulele to drums, throwing in a well-placed harmonica or accordion solo when appropriate. This all culminates in a sound that roves between ska, funk, bluegrass, and what might be classified as vaudeville, but I can’t say for sure.

Kitty, Daisy & Lewis

The three make sure to share the spotlight, taking turns for Kitty to go mad on the harmonica during “It Ain’t Your Business,” Daisy to add plucky attitude to “No Attitude,” and Lewis to drive “Bye Bye Bye” with old-timey piano riffs.

Kitty, Daisy & Lewis

Lake Street Dive took the stage just after dusk, instantly hushing the crowd of over 3,000. “Oh my goodness goodness!” gushed vocalist Rachael Price, clearly delighted by the palpable excitement in the air. “I’m not going to stop smiling like this the whole time!” And she didn’t. The sultry songstress twirled across the stage with a feisty and infectious spirit, all the while belting out some big notes on her powerful pipes.

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While Price’s throaty vocals—passionate and impossibly alluring—are the clear focal point, Mike “McDuck” Olson on trumpet and guitar, Bridget Kearney on upright bass, and Mike Calabrese on drums hit all the right notes, creating a new-fangled twist on a classic sound. Their catchy throwback slow jams like “Rabid Animal” and “Don’t Make Me Hold Your Hand” are playful yet profound, sexy and irresistibly danceable.