Lake Street Dive Live At The Beacon Theatre

Written by: Geoff Tischman

Lake Street Dive stopped by the Beacon Theatre the other night (11/6) to play an inspired set of breezy country and indie folk.

The band’s latest album Free Yourself Up might very well be their best and onstage they were a well oiled machine that locked in together with preternatural musical smarts.

Their Election Night Beacon set was a riveting blend of swaggering country, swingin’ jazz and sheer rootsy cool and not only did it include originals like the marvelous “Red Light Kisses” and the inspiring “You Are Free,” they also covered Shania Twain and Queen.

Lake Street Dive’s set was fresh, nimble and rousing. Singer Rachael Price and stand-up bassist/singer Bridget Kearney sounded positively seamless together, while guitarist (and trumpeter) Mike “McDuck” Olson and drummer Mike Calabrese were in fine form. The recent addition of keyboardist Akie Bermiss has given the band’s sound a lusher texture and more atmosphere.

It’s unsurprising that the band came together at the New England Conservatory of Music–they’re a group of virtuoso musicians who play with professionalism and heart. Their take on Twain’s “You’re Still The One” was perfect but their encore reading of “Bohemian Rhapsody” was nothing short of captivating.