Satellite – Remnant Brewing, Cambridge, MA
1/27/25
It’s “Bluegrass Mondays” at Remnant;’s Brewing’s Satellite (the old Atwood’s Tavern). Up on stage is Sam Reid & The Riot Act, known for Caribbean infused bluegrass polyrhythms and witty banter between songs doused heavily with dueling solos between a fiddle, electric mandolin and acoustic guitar. Sam Reid, as always, is center stage calling the shots and slinging flatpicking runs and riffs as if they were confetti at a wedding. Even though it’s a school night, there is a sizable crowd in the seats in front of the stage, and with Sammy and the boys playing some hot country tunes, it feels like a rowdy party could break out at any second. Joe Kessler struts out into the crowd, hamming it up while soloing on his notorious blue fiddle and the band doesn’t skip a beat. JC Campbell drops one of his drumsticks and Aaron “The Pipe” Goff picks it up, while playing mandolin and gives the cymbal a smack. It’s highly entertaining and also has a damn high level of musicianship. As the night winds down, I have to tip my hat to the great Liam the Bartender who also used to hold down the bar during countless nights of Americana concerts at the old Atwoods. While the name of the venue has changed, it was great to see a friendly face and hear some great tunes. (Kier Byrnes)