REID HAUGHTON

Tuesday April 4, 2023

@ The Basement in Nashville, TN

(Review by: Jeffrey Kurtis)

Nashville is recognized world-wide for its vibrant live music scene, carrying different distinctions within each of the many venues across town; whether they’re built for a true listening room experience, a rowdy, party-going atmosphere, or a big arena show with all the bells and whistles.

But just a drop south of the flashing neon and bachelorette parties that litter Lower Broadway, sits one of Music City’s most vibey venues, The Basement.

Quite literally located in the basement of a historic tri-level home, the “Cellarful Of Noise” tells the tale of its legendary past through the show posters and band stickers that are plastered to the walls of the dimly lit room which reverberates nightly with the best emerging indie rock, alt. country, and newest faces on the music scene.

One such newer face is Haleyville, AL native Reid Haughton.

His combination of modern era know-how with Southern rock infused red dirt stylings has given him an edge that ambitiously walks the line within a signature feel that has already earned him an attractive amount of buzz on singles, “Got the Girl,” “Day You Don’t,” and “She Is.” 

Haughton set up shop in front of a music loving, Tuesday night crowd, showcasing his extreme talent over a quick blast of music that not only gave everyone an overall look at what he brings to the table, but masterfully left them with just enough taste in their mouth that’ll make them want to come back for more.

The drumbeat pounded into the set as the guitars dripped into a southern rock flare to perfectly match the “Muscle Shoals” insignia on the front of Haughton’s black t-shirt as he pumped his crisp vocals into “Say Less,” immediately enticing the crowd and pulling them in as he allowed plenty of room for the onslaught of guitars to grip the ear-worm melody. 

Without much pause between, the moody reverb through the intro of “Born to Do” gave way to that distinct red dirt influence as Reid continued to hold the crowd in the palm of his hand as they swayed along in motion with the rhythm while their heads began to bob along in perfect timing.

“Thank y’all for coming out tonight,” he gratefully exclaimed. “We’re gonna be playing some released songs tonight, and some that are not yet released. This is a new one,” he told as he softened the edge of the groove into “Shoulda Thought About That Last Night,” hitting the emotional chord through the perfect utilization of his vocals as he regretfully retraced the mistake of going back to an on again off again through the haziness of the morning after.

“It feels so good to be playing music in a room with a bunch of good people,” Reid excitedly said as he bounced into “Cut Me Loose,” aptly keeping everyone in the venue moving with the ultra-catchy vibe as they pumped along with the infectiously memorable chorus.

Switching over from his high-octane electric guitar to an acoustic, Haughton slowed the pace with his recent single “She Is,” not only getting the entire crowd singing along with the amazing love song, but also drawing couples closer into one another to experience the blissful moment as they fell in swooning love with each other all over again.

Reid exuberantly told as he switched back to his electric, “Back to the rock-n-roll now,” as he then slid into “Man Made Money,” a song which he co-wrote with Adam Hood that punched right back into another insatiable groove that had everyone swaying along as their boot heels stomped on the cement floors in time with the pounding of the drums.  

As the slick bass line of “Day You Don’t” thumped out the drive of rhythm, the entire place lit up and sang along as they popped their hips with Haughton as she snapped through the relatable lyric that sees him playing it very cool as he’s trying to convince the girl he’s crushing on that she can do better than what she’s chasing after, because he’s right there waiting for her to choose him instead.

“This next song is your sign to not let people tell ya how to live, so long as you’re not hurting anyone,” Haughton said to a huge ovation as he rolled into the mid-tempo “Can’t Please ‘Em All,” embracing the idea of live and let live as he embedded the lyrics with feel-good tones while metaphorically shrugging his shoulders as if to say I am who I am.

“Y’all love each other…the world needs it so be good to each other,” Haughton encouraged as he closed his set with a mud stomping version of Charlie Daniels’ “Long Haired Country Boy,” taking the familiarity of the song and twisting it into his own as he very appropriately mashed it into The Allman Brothers “Midnight Rider” to honor a clear influence on him and his music.

Over just thirty minutes, Reid Haughton showcased his impeccable ability to keep a crowd invested from the opening note to the last, injecting a whole lot of rock-n-roll edge into country kissed lyrical masterpieces.

His vocal prowess held each line of every lyric so perfectly that they continually resonated with the crowd, while the rhythm of the hook filled melodies kept everyone moving in the pockets of bass walks, fiery guitars, and memorable tunes that stayed with you long after show had ended.

But at the core of the show was how endearingly grateful and uber appreciative Haughton was, humbly accepting the admiration from the crowd with several thank you’s as each songs final notes were met with well-deserved ovations that grew louder and louder throughout the night, landing at a deafening blast of hoots and hollers as the set closed.

FULL SET LIST

1) Say Less

2) Born To Do

3) Shoulda Thought About That Last Night

4) Cut Me Loose

5) She Is

6) Man Made Money

7) Day You Don’t

8) Can’t Please ‘Em All

9) Long Haired Country Boy (Charlie Daniels cover)

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