Lera Lynn with Andrew Combs at Stage Door Theatre

Intimate settings for singer-songwriter performances are common, in fact, I would argue that is the norm. Charlotte, NC houses many venues that could cater well to an intimate setting and likely none better suited than the Stage Door Theatre. Part of the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, the Stage Door Theatre is tucked away with a small entrance that if you are not looking for it, you can walk right by. This unique space brings in an eclectic group of acts many of which you simply will not have a chance to see anywhere else in the city. This night singer-songwriter Lera Lynn came to town and she brought with her another amazing talent in support on this tour in Andrew Combs.

As the evening got started, the audience mostly gathered in a setting of small tables and chairs directly at the foot of the stage, and be it the nature of the room or the politeness of the audience, we mostly sat quietly in anticipation. Emerging from the curtains, Andrew Combs took the stage as the evening’s opening act and he jumped right into song after a quick hello. With just a guitar and his songs, Andrew poured through a set that demonstrated his capabilities as a songwriter and as a performer sharing insight into his music along the way. Captivating with his stage presence, the energy of his set ranged from sincere to humorous as he sprinkled in little details of family life and stories such as how his mom is not too fond of his song “Too Stoned to Cry.” With sounds ranging from folk to country and full of emotion along the way, Andrew’s set helped set the stage for authenticity but the vibe of the night was far from done in establishing itself.

With the evening now in full swing and following a short break, Lera Lynn and partner Todd Lombardo joined the room and with a quick hello they grabbed their guitars and jumped into song. The vibe of the evening took on a completely different tone as Lera and Todd began the set. It was amazing to see how much sound could be produced from two guitars and two voices. Combine that with lyrics that seem bathed in mystery, cinematic arcs of sound, and a unique mixture of influences that culminate in a presentation of a voice that through years of evolution showcase Lera as not just a songwriter or performer, but a true artist. Moving through the set, Lera and Todd demonstrated their chemistry on stage and engaged with the audience quite often with comments and opening the floor to questions and even a request. This form of audience engagement was a refreshing experience to be a part of as it gave a better glimpse into the personalities of the performers and is one that only a room like the Stage Door Theatre can offer. As the set continued, the duo took a quick set break and returned for an encore which featured an appearance from opener Andrew Combs as they performed “Breakdown” from Lera’s 2018 album Plays Well with Others. Wrapping up the show, the performers thanked everyone and quickly were available in the lobby for pictures and merchandise purchases. This was a great way to wrap up the night as it provided an opportunity to capitalize on the intimate setting of the venue and performance and really delivered on the feeling that we all were a significant part of the show.

From now till the end of the year, you can catch Lera out on the road for a few dates and then resuming shows early next year. If she makes it to your area, I strongly encourage you to check out a show.