Lights, Cameras, Lindsey Stirling!

Violinist Dazzles Charlotte with Epic, Theatrical Production

Lindsey Stirling’s journey with the violin began very early with lessons starting at the young age of five, but she really came into the national spotlight with her appearance on Season 5 of the television show America’s Got Talent. Stirling won over audiences not only with her musical gifts but by incorporating different genres of music and with her ability to express herself through dance all while playing her violin. Unfortunately, the judges didn’t agree and she was buzzed off the show by Piers Morgan and was told by Sharon Osbourne that “What you’re doing is not enough to fill a theater in Vegas.” Lindsey gets the last laugh as her career has skyrocketed since the show with her second album Shatter Me making it all the way to number 2 on the Billboard charts. The ultra-talented musician and dancer is currently out on a summer tour with Walk Off The Earth and is selling out amphitheaters across the country. Take that, Sharon!

Stirling made a recent stop in Charlotte bringing music fans across the area an experience they will never forget. Unfortunately, just as doors were about to open, a monster of a storm rolled into the area which caused about a two-hour delay. While were hunkered down at the beer hall next door, VBGB, we got the call that the show would go on. Excited fans from elderly couples to young girls and everything in between began to make their way to the ampitheatre gates.

Just as everyone started filing in, Canadian rockers Walk Off The Earth hit the stage hard bringing not only a ton of energy but a brilliant display of lighting to accompany their eclectic set. Led by vocalist Sarah Blackwood, WOTE combines unique instruments like the mandolin to make their indie-pop sound unique and they put on one heck of a show.

Musically, they sounded fantastic but it definitely is their stage presence that sets them apart from the crowd. Whether jumping, spinning, or getting down on the stage floor, Blackwood knows how to entertain an audience. Fans were laughing, singing, clapping, and jumping throughout the set. The band is incredibly fun to see live and if you are heading out to see the tour, be sure to get there early enough to catch Walk Off The Earth in action. In the meantime, the band just dropped their 11th studio album, Stand By You, which you can check out here.

After a short break, it was finally time to see this violin superstar in action. Let me tell you that the production aspect of this show was off the charts. Imagine mixing a live music concert with a ballet and dance recital with a full-scale Broadway production and that is just a hint of what a Lindsey Stirling show is like. The show begins with Stirling performing atop a large staircase at the rear of the stage accompanied by a keyboardist and drummer flanking her on each side. The effect was beautiful and set the mood for the rest of the evening.

Musically, Stirling is phenomenal and gave us a sampling of songs from classical with Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue” to her own electric pop of “Shatter Me” and even a holiday classic with “Carol of the Bells.” But Stirling of course does not simply play the violin. She dances, she spins, she jumps, and she even twirls around in a harness high above the stage and she does all of this without missing a note.

There was a full bevy of dancers accompanying her onstage and the entire set was choreographed to perfection. We had costume changes, exquisite lighting, and even some funny breaks with her dog making an appearance on stage and Lindsey directing audience participation for a Tik Tok video. There is not one moment of the show that fails to hold your attention as there really is non-stop action the whole time. We sang. We danced. We held our collective breaths in awe and amazement. This show was spectacular in every way. Do not miss it!

The tour runs through early September, so be sure and grab your tickets while you can. Don’t worry if there’s not a date near you though, as Stirling just announced her Snow Waltz 2023 tour for this fall and winter which will bring all the holiday classics and a dazzling production as well.

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If you happened to capture any shots of the night, feel free to tag us on social media at Shutter 16 Magazine and throw in #Shutter16 and #TwitFromThePit for the world to see.