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Andy Frasco & The U.N.With curly tufts of a recognizable ‘fro peeking out from his omnipresent knit cap, Andy Frasco is a cross between John Belushi’s “Joliet” Jake Blues and Jimmy Buffett. He’s a band-fronting, songwriting party animal who turns into a swirling rock ‘n’ roll Tasmanian Devil onstage leading his U.N., not unlike Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band. From switching instruments mid-song to Frasco stagediving into the crowd or kibitzing with them, an Andy Frasco & The U.N. show is a celebration of inclusivity and tolerance where “You do You” and “let us do us.”
The band has grown from playing bars to touring more than 250 days a year all over the country, with Frasco describing that 15-year journey on Growing Pains, the group’s landmark 10th studio album and first full-length effort since 2023’s L’Optimist, showcasing Andy’s growth as a tunesmith in his own right.
Produced by Frasco himself for the first time, the collection’s centerpiece is the anthemic “Try Not to Die,” a glass half-full anthem to seizing the day that combines country twang with an easy island breeze in its affirmative message. Other tracks include:
“Life is Easy” — a folk protest anthem featuring Billy Strings, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, Steve Poltz (Rugburns, Jewel), and Chris Gelbuda (Meghan Trainor)
“Swinging for the Fences” — a Motown-flavored tribute to dating out of your league, with camoes by G. Love and Eric Krasno (Lettuce, Tedeschi Trucks Band Soulive)
“They Call Me Hollywood (But I’m from LA)” — co-written with frequent partner Kenny Carkeet, features rapper ProbCause, while the title track is a sing-song, hip-hop-influenced rhyme about embracing change and taking it day-to-day
“I came into this life wanting to write songs,” said Frasco. “It took 15 years, but I feel I’m starting to get credit for it. My cup is full. I’m really starting to see my dreams come true.”
Kitchen Dwellers
Kitchen Dwellers continue carving their own lane in progressive roots music, blending bluegrass, folk, and psychedelic grit into a sound as expansive as their Montana home. Formed in Bozeman, the quartet — Shawn Swain (mandolin), Torrin Daniels (banjo), Joe Funk (upright bass), and Max Davies (acoustic guitar) — has grown into one of the most forward-thinking bands in modern string music, pairing instrumental virtuosity with emotional storytelling and a deep connection to the American West.
In 2024, they released Seven Devils, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Bluegrass Albums chart and expanded their creative reach. Their latest project, The Katabatic EP, captures a vivid snapshot of winter in Montana, blending mythic lyricism and atmospheric interplay across three tracks. The song “Madison” reflects on love and the rhythms of the Madison River, while the instrumentals “Mimas and Ida” and “Katabatic” feature guest trumpeter Eric "Benny" Bloom of Lettuce, adding bold brass textures to the band’s evolving sound.
Their discography — Ghost in the Bottle (2017), Muir Maid (2019), Wise River (2022), and Seven Devils (2024) — has amassed more than 15 million streams. Known for a dynamic live show, they’ve appeared at major festivals including Bonnaroo Music Festival and Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and have headlined both Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Ryman Auditorium.
With Seven Devils marking a milestone and The Katabatic EP showcasing another facet of their artistry, Kitchen Dwellers remain committed to pushing the boundaries of modern bluegrass while staying rooted in the landscapes that shaped them.
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Event Venue
Peace Center Ampitheater, 20 Japanese Dogwood Ln, Greenville, SC 29601-2643, United States
Tickets
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