The Stews’ second Charlottesville show of 2024 packs a punch
Madeline Reynolds / V Mag at UVA
A first-timer might have mistaken the noise rising from the jam-packed pit as a chorus of boos. But upon listening more closely, the sound took on a distinct shape.
“Stewwwwwsssssss,” hundreds of fans echoed in unison.
Indie-rock quartet The Stews made a triumphant return to Charlottesville the night of Nov. 14, kicking off the second leg of their “Chicken Fight” album release tour. The group’s third appearance at The Jefferson Theatre featured heavy riffs, thrashing solos and dynamic vocals that thrilled an animated undergraduate crowd.
Charlottesville also served as a nod to the band’s college-town roots. The four performers — Preston Hall with lead vocals and guitar, Wyatt Griffith on drums, Blake Dobbs playing rhythm guitar and Bennett Baugus on bass — got their start as a fraternity band at Auburn University. Since then, The Stews have graduated onto tour life with larger venues and festival stages like Hangout Fest and Lollapalooza.
Madeline Reynolds / V Mag at UVA
“Chicken Fight,” their first album since 2022, tackles themes of love and loss, peace and frustration, all with an old school-feel. A guitar-driven setlist blends soulful acoustics with energetic vocals and moments of pure headbanging rock.
Following last spring’s performance was no small feat, but classic concert antics cranked The Stews’ energy up a notch. Hall often leaned over the edge of the stage, strumming chords almost on top of the twenty-something audience that felt straight out of a Mad Bowl basement. He confidently played the guitar backward and over his head, because why not? Dobbs and Baugus matched the vibe with playful riff-offs back and forth as rainbow strobe lights glistened above.
The crowd seemingly held onto every note. Starting with a strong opening act by alt-rock band Harvey Street, excitement lasted throughout the show. The Stews took the stage with a series of fast-paced rhythmic pieces then slowed it down for the intro to “Notions.”
Madeline Reynolds / V Mag at UVA
Fans bounced up and down while singing along to one of The Stews’ best-known songs, “Make it Out” — a five-minute banger that builds to an off-the-rails guitar solo. Other hits, also from the group's self-titled EP, included the soulful “Slip Away” and angsty “9-5.” One bold audience member paid tribute with a short-lived crowd surfing run.
The bond between The Stews and Charlottesville remains strong. When Hall asked the downtown crowd if anyone had seen the band before, over half of the attendees shouted in response. For those already eager for another round, The “Chicken Fight” tour rolls on through March, with upcoming stops in Charlotte, North Carolina and Richmond, Virginia.
