This Thursday, Victory North will present Homegrown Summer Jam: an Americana concert featuring some of Savannah’s favorite Americana bands.
Located in the Starland District, Victory North is one of Savannah’s newest concert venues. With a standing capacity of approximately 500, the mid-sized venue opened in May of 2019, just about one year before the pandemic forced venues to shutter. As live music returns, Victory North is welcoming back audiences by providing a stage for local musicians.
Andrea De La Higuera, Lighting Director at Victory North, explains, “We want to feature local music. We want to support local musicians and give the community a place to go. We are hoping this becomes a regular part of our concert line up.”
Homegrown Summer Jam will be the first indoor show at Victory North since reopening. The venue used the past year to make infrastructure improvements. “We’ve had local bands play in our courtyard, but this will be an indoor show. We’re excited.” De La Higuera continues, “Recently, we installed a new sound system so that we can sound the best of the best. We used the COVID time as best we could, to upgrade the experience.”
Thursday’s line-up features The New American Hologram, Jason Bible, Eckstine and Rose, and Aaron Zimmer Duo - featuring Vito Gutella.
For Matt Eckstine of Eckstine and Rose, this will be his first in-person performance of music he released during the pandemic. “Things are finally opening up,” he said.
“Personally, I know that people rallied behind me and supported my live streams and record releases. I’m looking forward to getting out and playing the new songs off of my new record in a venue that is designed for live music. When we started playing, back in the 2010’s, there wasn’t a place in Savannah for this kind of music, besides the Jinx. Now, we finally have a venue that is the perfect size for us. Can’t wait to get people out and to perform. I really appreciate that Victory North is supporting this show.”
Eric Britt of The New American Hologram organized Homegrown Summer Jam. Britt’s history with Savannah’s Americana scene provided a perfect template for bands to include on the bill.
“This line-up has been involved with several Americana shows going back ten years or more. The original event was called the Homegrown Holiday Hoedown. Basically, it was a Christmas party concert with The Train Wrecks and The Accomplices, at the ballroom above Betty Bombers. People loved that party. And we’re going to do the same thing at the Homegrown Summer Jam. This is the first event like this at Victory North.”
For Britt, support from venues like Victory North are essential for making Savannah a great city for musicians to make a living. There is at least a year’s worth of pent-up excitement and anticipation for in-person concerts.
“It is an amazing feeling for local musicians, doing hand-to-mouth gigs, to be given a night at a great venue like Victory North. It is very validating to be able to have friends, family, and supporters come to experience the music through a giant PA with great sound and lights. That’s the way it should be: validating and exciting. Plus, these bands are amazing and they deserve to be heard in a venue where they can truly shine.”
For information or tickets visit, victorynorthsavannah.com/event-details/homegrown-summer-jam
Vicotry North is located at 2603 Whitaker St., Savannah.