Our annual Summer Stars series features a variety of groups making the rounds on the festival circuit. Today we feature The Revivalists. We’ve also checked in with Emancipator, Zoogma, Foxygen, The Flaming Lips, Allen Stone, Lord Huron, Shovels & Rope, Passion Pit, John Scofield, The Lumineers, Futurebirds, Tea Leaf Green and moe..

Success came suddenly for The Revivalists. While the group has been a fixture of the New Orleans music scene for a few years, it’s only recently that they’ve found an audience at the national level. “We’ve made leaps and bounds in these past six months – way bigger than in the last four years or so,” explains frontman David Shaw. “We’ve been playing a bunch of new places and playing to a lot more people. It’s a whirlwind right now – I can’t believe it.”

The sextet – Shaw (vocals), Ed Williams (pedal steel guitar), Zack Feinberg (guitar), Rob Ingraham (saxophone), George Gekas (bass), Andrew Campanelli (drums) and Michael Giradot (keys/trumpet) – started to build a larger following after opening for Gov’t Mule last fall. Mule fans were impressed by the group’s powerful and accessible sound, which is grounded in a more traditional, blues-oriented rock vibe. The band incorporates other styles as well, with funky grooves and danceable beats finding their way into their tunes. Shaw’s vocals tie everything together. The singer wails with an Eddie Vedder-intensity that would make even the most inspirational lyrics seem melancholy if the music wasn’t so much fun.

The Revivalists have a big summer ahead of them, with festival stops on the East, West and Gulf coasts. Yet, all this touring has the band looking forward to some much-needed chill time. “I’m excited to be playing High Sierra because we’re going to stay out there for a few days,” says Shaw. “It doesn’t really get much better than that for scenery. And greenery for that matter.” *

Album for a Hot Summer Night: Bill Withers, Live at Carnegie Hall

Summer Drink: Virgin piña colada

Festival Stops: Mountain Jam, Governors Ball, High Sierra, All
Good, Gathering of the Vibes, more.