Woove staff writer Colin Reef saw Perpetual Groove at Awful Arthur's. Thanks to Drew Lucas for the great pictures!

The genre-spanning American jam band, Perpetual Groove, came to town on Monday, October 18, and put on a dynamic two-night performance at Awful Arthur’s. The packed show kicked off around 11 pm, crowds assembled on the sidewalk outside hoping to get tickets.  The two nights of music were essentially similar; however, there was a distinct difference in the mood of the jams performed on both nights.

Monday night’s performance was a powerhouse of intense rock and roll. From start to finish, P Groove spared nothing and delivered total seriousness to their fans. Two of their most joyful and happy songs, “Stealy Man” and “Three Weeks,” were expressed with a higher level of tenacity than their usual dreamy melodic rhythms.  A series of covers furthered the serious mood. Late in the second set, the band covered “Pepper” by Butthole Surfers, immediately followed by Fatboy Slim’s “Praise You.”  The set brought the crowd to their feet with energetic and powerful riffs. Those returning for Night Two expected to relax on a softer, less thumping performance, and that’s just what they got.

After such an intense set the night before, Perpetual Groove loosened up on Tuesday night. Each song gave off bouncy and joyful vibes, with periods of wobbly organs performed by bassist Adam Perry. An impressive solo by drummer Albert Suttle during “Sun Dog” let the crowd relax with a member of the band who spends less time in the spotlight. The rest of Perpetual Groove’s set followed the chilled out mood until the encore, which featured a cover of A-Ha’s “Take On Me,” one of Perpetual Groove’s favorites. Lead guitarist Brock Butler managed to sneak in the unforgettable melody from Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall” to end the show on a serious note.

The two-night performance released a wide variety of music for Blacksburg last week. The band’s ability to incorporate multiple styles of play allows them to shape a truly unique set from venue to venue. There really is something for everyone at a Perpetual Groove show. Whether it is the upbeat organ jams or just plain rock and roll, their music massages any listener’s mind. The band attracts a friendly group of supporters wherever they go, as well as a healthy crowd of first-timers. There is really no reason to miss a Perpetual Groove show, as each time provides a new and unique perspective on the live music scene.

Both nights’ performances were accompanied by alluring live art by Jon Blake AKA Crazyredbeard, a painter out of Charlottesville, VA. Crazyredbeard performs at many music events in the jam band community and will be painting alongside EOTO, The Disco Biscuits, and Tractorbeam during the Halloween weekend in Charlottesville.

Perpetual Groove’s tour continues with stops in Raleigh, NC and Charlottesville, VA, before heading west. Any music lover would find it difficult to not enjoy a P Groove show, so get your tickets and feast your ears on a truly beautiful American music sensation.