YAM YAM Brings “Junk” Music Back to Ardmore Music Hall
Joined by openers MINKA and Dry Reef, YAM YAM rocked Ardmore Music Hall once again since their last visit in the summer of 2021 accompanied by indie-jam rockers Aqueous.
On February 10th, the Harrisburg natives played to a full audience of loyal fans eager to see the now nationally-touring act for their first show of 2023 this weekend before heading off to tour across the Midwest in the upcoming months with fellow funk jam band Pigeons Playing Ping Pong.
Formed in 2015, we first saw YAM YAM emerge into the scene the very next year in 2016 introducing their blend of jazz and funk music, coined “junk” music, to listeners all over central Pennsylvania. Only a few short years later, they quickly found themselves featured on festival lineups such as Summer Camp Music Festival (Chillicothe, IL), Opple Topple Music Festival (Kempton, PA), Mountain Music Festival (Oak Hill, WV), and in 2022, Domefest Music Festival (Thornville, OH), hosted by the aforementioned Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, with whom they first opened for earlier that year at the Fillmore in Philadelphia.
As the room filled in, excited cheers pervaded the hall to welcome supporting musicians MINKA, a band “free from genres”. The show was quickly off to a red-hot start as keyboard player and front man Ari “Dick”, enrobed in a beaming suit of bright silver sequins, was quick to shed all but a pair of identically decorated underwear and high-top sneakers. It’s impossible not to dance and smile at a MINKA show, their music is extremely cheerful and groovy- but, if you aren’t dancing, the Oops! All Bangers singer will jump into the crowd and get you moving himself, as we saw this Friday. The classically trained pianist is constantly bouncing around the stage- he never stops moving to the contemporary-yet-vintage sounds that adorn any venue they set foot to play in. This quartet left the whole crowd smiling ear-to-ear and put forth a noticeable shift in energy that set the perfect tone throughout the masses for opener Dry Reef.
Another Philly-based group, Dry Reef brought the enthusiasm with their own perfected mix of surf, rock, indie and reggae sounds. Lead singer and rhythm guitarist, Charles, takes things to the next level with his stunningly crisp and vibrant vocals. Paired with the emotion that is expressed through his voice and the upbeat nature of the rhythm that surrounds it, this is an incredibly unique and captivating show- a must-see performance. After exiting the stage to make a quick wardrobe change, the 4-man crew took to the stage once again, decked out in Eagles gear to deliver something special. Lead guitarist Collin stole the show in his Eagles jersey, an Eagles football helmet and a huge Eagles flag tied around his neck draped down his back as he blessed the crowd with an enthralling take on The Eagles Fight Song. Picking away intense, feedback-filled, distorted chords- akin to the way the late legend Jimi Hendrix performed his legendary rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner in 1969- This tribute electrified the audience as they sang over the wailing guitar, exciting all Eagles fans in the crowd as they anxiously awaited the outcome of Superbowl LVII the following night.
With the crowd exhilarated after both outstanding performances preceding their set, the 5-piece was graced with a very warm and welcoming crowd ready to intercept the soulful, psychedelic “yams” (jams) of YAM YAM. Despite only having 5 members, these guys sound like they’re twice their size- with Mike Dempsey (Keys/Organ/Vocals), Tom Fuller (Guitar), Xander Moppin (Bass), Jason Mescia (Saxophone) and Tyler Fuller (Drums), it is evident that everyone on stage is always giving it 110% at all times, packing a serious punch- and that’s not all- their vocal harmonies sound much bigger and fuller as well, making lookers-on do a double take to see just how many musicians are actually pushing out this explosive performance. Amongst many other elements to their music, this makes it apparent how they found themselves sharing bills and stages with so many big names on the festival circuit and in the jam world.
After releasing their debut self-titled album in 2018, which charted on Billboard Jazz Albums section at No. 17, it wasn’t long before they were playing alongside bands such as Lotus, Keller Williams, Dopapod, Little Stranger, Disco Biscuits, Too Many Zooz, Consider The Source, and many more, some of which they have also toured with over the years. Chances are that nowadays, if you find yourself at a music festival, YAM YAM very well may be performing that weekend.
This venue offers a spacious and comfortable environment for all who pass through its doors, boasting a capacity of up to 600 guests, 4 bars on 2 floors, an extensive drink menu consisting of beer wine and spirits, 2 green rooms upstairs behind the stage, VIP lounge seating complete with complimentary champagne, as well as a full kitchen featuring all of your bar favorites including vegetarian options. Ardmore Music Hall is sure to bring an all-around high caliber experience to all of its patrons. This particular night, Ardmore Music Hall hosted the R&B influenced five some to its own stage where some pretty big industry names have performed in their infancy since being founded in back in 1990. With names like Phish, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Hootie and The Blowfish, Dave Matthews Band, Juicy J and Action Bronson taking the stage at Ardmore Music Hall, you can guarantee that owner/talent buyer Chris Perella means business- come to Ardmore Music Hall for any show and it is guaranteed to be of quality.
