The Barons: from high school jam sessions to packed venues

Finn Holbrook / V Mag at UVA

For emerging alt rock band The Barons, the Ting Pavilion in Charlottesville, Va. is more than just a venue. It’s where their journey began. The iconic stage — which has hosted stars including Dave Matthews Band, Chris Stapleton and Noah Kahan — hosted one of the group’s first public performances during the “Fridays After Five” series in 2017. The show marked an energetic moment in The Barons’ rise from high school band to emerging rock act.

Frontman Peyton Alley reflected on the debut with deep appreciation.

“It just felt special, regardless of how many people were there,” Alley said. “Just the feeling of stepping onto the stage for one of the first times — kind of like an innocent child — doing that where you’ve seen some of your heroes play was really special to me.”

The band includes vocalist Peyton Alley, Josiah Ragland on lead guitar, Kirtland Gray on bass, Mathes Glymph on drums and recent addition Jack Peacock on saxophone. Their debut EP, “rock! or go to the association,” released in June 2023, highlights an eclectic blend of alternative rock with influences from bands like The 1975, Kings of Leon, the Foo Fighters and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

“But they're all flashes,” Glymph said. “I don't think we really adopt one sound.”

The Barons, first known as The Kairos Effect, formed at Albemarle High School in 2016 when Alley and Ragland met through a local guitar teacher and started jamming together. Their collaboration soon expanded to include Gray, who they knew from chemistry class. Glymph joined later, after Alley’s dad — their high school football coach — encouraged Alley to “give Mathes a shout.”

Charlottesville did more than simply serve as a meeting place for the band — the city played a crucial role in shaping their sound. A vibrant jazz scene, including venues such as Miller’s and The Whiskey Jar, introduced the band to intricate rhythms and improvisational style. The Barons incorporated subtle jazz elements into their alternative rock, broadening their musical horizons beyond traditional genre boundaries. The later addition of the saxophone highlights their jazz-inspired influences.

“Getting to be around those kinds of more refined jazz musicians in Charlottesville, I think, pushed us to be better,” Glymph said.

A major milestone for The Barons came in 2023 when they opened for Nashville-native folk band Judah and the Lion at The National in Richmond, Va. A testament to their growing fanbase, the opportunity marked a significant achievement in their career, not only showcasing their ability to secure high-profile gigs but also demonstrating their fans’ unwavering support. 

Ragland described the moment the stage manager looked over and asked if the band was ready. After they nodded, the stage manager killed the lights and cued their entrance.

“The lights went down, and the utter uproar of fans ready to see a show was indescribable,” Ragland said.

Another standout moment for The Barons, noted by Glymph, was their December 2022 Christmas show at Pro Re Nata in Crozet, Va. A supportive crowd of friends and family attended the performance, and Glymph’s father, a fellow drummer, joined the band on stage for a song.

“It was very validating that night to see that many people that we know come and support,” Glymph said.

Alley shared that the band is gearing up for an exciting new chapter with their first full-length album, “The Chateau,” set for release in spring 2025. They will also embark on a fall tour, bringing their high-energy performances to new audiences along the East Coast while continuing to honor their local roots with a kickoff show at The Southern in Charlottesville.