Black coffee straight out of the pot, or a K-Cup in the machine. Two choices a lot of us make every morning...or don't, if you're not a coffee person. But if you're reading this, odds are you are a music person, and probably a fan of live music at that. And just like your morning coffee, when it comes to live music in your area, you've got options. This weekend around the Upstate of South Carolina, there was no shortage of them.
That's exactly why "Greenville Weekend Live Music" became the Upstate Live Music Report, because one weekend, one list, one flyer was never going to be enough to capture everything happening around here. You saw it in the title of this week's report, "33 Shows, One Hallpass, and Zero Excuses". And honestly, that sums up this weekend in a nutshell.
Our Night With Hallpass
Friday night took us to Poe Mill Music for a set from Hallpass, and it's one we won't forget anytime soon. This stop was part of Hallpass's summer tour, "Spillway," and it marked their very first time playing Poe Mill. You'd never have known it was a first visit, though. Fans started lining up hours before doors, some of them driving in from over five hours away. A few even showed up with custom sunglasses they'd made just for the show. That's the kind of fanbase you can't manufacture; it has to be earned.
Hallpass got their start in college at the University of Georgia, and you can hear that same restless, building-something-real energy in their sound. A lot of their style pulls inspiration from Fernandina Beach own Flip Turn, and that influence shows up clearly once you settle into their catalog. Indie rock, dream pop, and alternative rock blended into something that's distinctly theirs.
Based on what we heard Friday night, Hallpass's music is built on emotional, guitar-driven anthems layered with shimmering synths and hooks that stick with you well after the last song ends. Every member of the band brings their own distinct personality to the stage, and somehow it all locks together seamlessly. That kind of chemistry doesn't happen by accident and in this industry, it's the thing that takes a band from playing small rooms to filling much bigger ones.
A huge thank you to Adam and Tanner for coming out and capturing some incredible photos and video from the set. And to Hallpass. Thank you for letting us be part of your night. We're grateful for the chance to work alongside you, and even more grateful you had us out. To everyone else, be on the lookout for a video recap of the night and please see below for links to their socials and tour tickets.
Afters at Sweet Treat
The night didn't end at Poe Mill. Once Hallpass wrapped, Adam and I swung by Sweet Treat for a little afters celebration, and it turned out to be the perfect way to close out the evening. Greenville locals Jon Searcy and Zoltan were on the decks serving up EDM sets, and it was exactly the energy we needed after an already stacked night of live music.
Saturday Kept the Momentum Going
Saturday was no short of a good time either. We stopped by Greenville's own house EDM show, House Affair, and it did not disappoint. There's a lot to say about this one. So much, in fact, that we're giving it its own dedicated write-up later this week. Be on the lookout for that.
Stay tuned. We'll be back next Friday with another Upstate Live Music Report, and every Sunday...or Monday :) with a recap just like this one.
Brightbell Music