Lake Street Dive
Channel 24, Sacramento
July 1, 2025
Photos by Paul Piazza
Lake Street Dive brought their bold original cross-pollination of soul, folk, jazz, and classic pop to Sacramento’s new Channel 24 recently. The show was a sell-out.
The band started in 2004, when all of the original members were music students at New England Conservatory. They were named after a street of dive bars in Minneapolis. After steadfastly pursuing their passion and honing their craft for nearly a decade, the band had a breakthrough with the record Bad Self Portraits in 2014. This album elevated them into a national act and they have continued to evolve since that time.
Their latest record, Good Together, was featured at this stop in Sacramento, with the band playing nine of the eleven album’s cuts. The latest record blends their signature soulful sound with elements of pop, funk, and even 80s inspired electronic music. The band continues to explore themes of connection and resilience and displays consistent hints of joyful rebellion.
Naturally, there were also a good representation of tunes from Bad Self Portraits, as well as a few of the covers that earned them distinction including “Rich Girl” by Hall and Oates, “I Want You Back” by the Jackson 5, and a gorgeous rendition of Shania Twain’s “You’re Still the One,” sung by keyboardist Akie Bermiss.
The band, which is fronted by the extraordinary vocalist Rachel Price also features two other original members: the amazing Bridget Kearney on bass and vocals and Mike Calabrese on drums and vocals. They were joined in the last few years by keyboardist/organ/vocalist Bermiss, and most recently, guitarist James Cornelison.
Cornelison stepped in after the band’s other original member, guitarist Mike “McDuck” Olsen, left the band. The band was rounded out by an excellent percussionist for this run.
Opening the show were the 502s, an upbeat beach folk band from Florida. The band got the audience revved up with their high energy approach that features banjo, sax, beachwear, and some very catchy choruses.
