grandson and K. Flay @The Fillmore Charlotte, NC 5-27-23

One of the hottest tours of the year made a stop in Charlotte this past week as grandson and K. Flay brought the I Love You, I’m Trying Tour to the Queen City. In the words of K. Flay herself, “Charlotte is the biggest crowd we’ve had on this tour,” as fans packed into the Fillmore to catch these two unique artists live and in person.

Both grandson and K. Flay like to mix up the genres with songs that encompass the best of rock, hip-hop, pop, and more. It was definitely going to be an interesting and exciting night of music at The Fillmore. K. Flay was up first taking her spot by the center microphone for “The President Has a Sex Tape” before she took things to another level with “Four Letter Words.” The singer-songwriter is a true ball of fire on stage with a passion for her music and an attitude not to be messed with. She took a moment to express her appreciation for all those in attendance and for the simple fact that she was out performing again. She had suffered hearing loss and was unsure she would ever be onstage again and was just so grateful to be there as she took us on an emotional ride with her soon-to-be-released single, “Shy.” We even had a little Rage Against The Machine thrown into her live version of “Blood in the Cut” as K. Flay did some “Bulls on Parade.” The crowd was having a great time, singing along, and jumping around as K. Flay took us through a 14-song set that made our spirits soar before getting a little “Raw, Raw” to close things out because we were all “High Enough.” This was my first time seeing K.Flay live and I sure as hell hope it isn’t my last. She was a fantastic performer and lit up the venue the second she came out.

The crowd was sweaty and amped up after that raucous set from K. Flay and was eager with anticipation as they waited for grandson to make an appearance. Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” blasted from the loudspeakers as everyone sang along. Suddenly, the lights dimmed and it was show time! The stage was set with a riser at the rear, stage right with a park bench surrounded by two old-fashioned street lights and a street sign that read ‘I Love You, I’m Trying.’ grandson was seated on the bench barely visible by the soft lights of the streetlamps, with camouflage pants and a camouflage jacket with the hood up, covering his face. He began the opening verse of “Two Along Their Way,” slowly making his way to the center of the stage. Before we knew it, it was on and the rest of the set was an explosion of energy, lights, and fast-paced moves by grandson. He swung, spun, jumped, and cruised from one side of the stage to the other. Everyone was singing along and having the time of their life. Early on in the set, grandson spotted a potential problem with the fans down in front and briefly stopped the show to check on things. After a minute or two, it was determined that it was a lost shoe that triggered the response, and after he laughed and jokingly scolded the crowd for making him stop over a shoe, the show continued on. His set was pure fire as he held us in the palm of his hand for the rest of the evening. K. Flay would join him on stage for a cover of X Ambassadors’ “Zen” and an acoustic version of “Peaches.” Of course, it wouldn’t be a grandson show without him gracing us with the song that catapulted him into the music scene as he closed it out with a powerful performance of “Blood//Water.”

What a show! Both K. Flay and grandson are top-notch performers with music that will have you moving as well as bringing you through all the emotions. If you have the chance to see the I Love You, I’m Trying tour, I highly recommend that you do. This could be the show of the season!

K. Flay Set List:

The President Has a Sex Tape

Four Letter Words

Giver

Black Wave

Weirdo

This Baby Don’t Cry

T.G.I.F.

Shy

Blood In The Cut/Bulls On Parade (Rage Against the Machine cover)

Maybe There’s a Way

Punisher