“Welcome to Stanhope House,” declared Antigone Rising guitarist Kristen Ellis-Henderson, onstage on February 15. “The lead singer likes whiskey.”
Starting the night off with their single “Everything Changes,” Antigone Rising brought high-energy country rock to the Stanhope House, a historic venue reminiscent of an old-time honkytonk. After only a few songs, many in the crowd were dancing in front of the stage.
The band’s songs lean toward traditional country themes, such as drinking and infidelity, and each member of the all-female quartet is a powerful presence. They exude star power while relating to the audience as though they are family or, at least, drinking buddies.
Lead singer Nini Camps, a 2009 addition to Antigone Rising, is the key to the band’s sound. Her voice lures you in, making the songs familiar enough to be heard long after you’ve gone home. Bassist Cathy Henderson gives the band a driving bottom similar to Creedence Clearwater Revival. Listening to her never gets dull.
Newton-based group the Pfeiffer Twins were an entertaining opening act. Carrie Pfeiffer is a multi-instrumentalist in the true sense of the word – playing acoustic guitar, fiddle, keyboard, and hand percussion throughout her set – and later joined Antigone Rising to play the fiddle alongside Camps. It added up to a magical evening inside the Stanhope House.
Read the concert preview here.