I was quite excited for the Girls Guns and Glory show at The Sinclair recently. Not only is this one of my favorite bands, but Julie Rhodes – another favorite – opened the show! How great is it to be able to see friends knock it out of the park at a wonderful venue with an alleviating audience that was large despite competing with a Patriots playoff game!

Girls Guns and Glory

Julie Rhodes

GGG is a fantastic alt-country band that has been delighting local fans for a number of years. I first saw them at what was then an annual tradition of a New Year’s Day tribute to Hank Williams and fell in love instantly.

Ward Hayden

Now they are performing mostly original tunes; they always had the originals, but did not do the tribute show this year. In 2015,  Rolling Stone Country named GGG one of the twenty-five bands to watch. The band deserved that accolade and justified it with their fantastic recent release,  Love and Protest. This show was their hometown album release show and they brought their A+ game to it.

Girls Guns and Glory

The band consists of lead crooner and guitarist Ward Hayden, lead guitarist Cody Nilsen, drummer Josh Kiggans, and bass player Paul Dilley. Cody has been with the band only since early last summer and he has become an integral part of GGG.

Ward Hayden

Cody Nilsen

Josh Kiggans

Paul Dilley

The high-energy set included songs from the entirety of their discography, but focused on the new release. These are terrific songs, the kind that are hard to sit still while listening to them. I question the decision to make this a partially seated show; while I don’t feel I need to be dancing while listening to music (and absolutely appreciate but having to stand), GGG makes music that is intended for moving.

Girls Guns and Glory

Ward sported an incredible Manuel (a clothing maker known for rhinestone-studded custom-made clothing for many stars who is a disciple of Nudie) suit that he was quite lucky to obtain. It had rhinestones and mirrors, and battery-operated lights that he showed us after the show. Everyone in the band wore western-style shirts that added to the music.

Ward Hayden

GGG is a band on the rise; I doubt they will play venues of the size of The Sinclair (525 capacity) much longer.

Girls Guns and Glory

Also on the rise is Julie Rhodes. A blues/soul singer and fabulous songwriter, she has one of the most powerful voices I know. I have witnessed people’s jaws drop the first time they hear her.

Julie Rhodes

She released her début album last year and her set included many of the songs on Bound to Meet the Devil (which you need to add to your collection) as well as some excellent new songs. They portend the release of another album, hopefully as soon as this year!

Julie Rhodes

Her band has gone through some changes, but appears to be solidified now. They are all excellent musicians who support Julie well.

Danny Roman, Julie Rhodes

Julie plays a lot of shows in New England and has toured nationally as well. Go see her too!

Julie Rhodes

This was a fabulous show that thrilled the audience, both new and long-time fans. Get on their bandwagon!

Ticket courtesy of Girls Guns and Glory; all opinions see my own.