(July 14, 2016) While fans of the group already know to expect the unexpected during an UpriZing show, the people of Pocomoke City only learned that last year during the band’s first performance, which turned out to be the most popular of the event series.
“The band already has a good following, but there were lots of locals too. It was one of my personal favorites,” Karah Lacey, downtown coordinator, said. “The people just loved it — everyone got up and danced.”
Since it was the season’s biggest and most popular show, band manager and lead guitarist James Stewart Jr., said he wasn’t surprised when he was offered the opportunity to return.
“We’d never played there before and wanted to try it out,” he said. “Everyone got up and off their seats, when the sun went down they had their cell phones out. We’re bringing the same energy back.”
That energy is how UpriZing builds its shows — not by a prearranged setlist, but by watching the audience, responding to its reactions and choosing songs on the fly.
“We’ve been a group for only three years, but most of us have been playing our entire lives,” Stewart said.
So, explaining what the band plays can be a little tricky. Generally, UpriZing specializes in funk, rhythm and blues, rock, hip hop and reggae, but has a number of other musical tools at its disposal.
“We never know what we’re going to play when we get up there. We work in all genres — it can go from anything on the radio today to the Doobie Brothers. We get by on our versatility,” Stewart said.
There are touch points, or benchmarks the band starts from at the beginning of a set, but from there the sky is the limit.
“We always have ideas, and there are some universals but we feel out the crowd, and based on their reactions, we build from there,” he said.
Stewart said UpriZing has played all over Salisbury, including the popular Pork in the Park and Good Beer festivals, as well as making the Ocean City rounds with gigs at Seacrets, Coins and throughout West Ocean City.
He said UpriZing was in consideration to perform during September’s Sunfest in Ocean City.
The performance is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at Cypress Park near downtown Pocomoke City. Outside food is allowed, and the town recommends brining in additional lawn chairs.
For more information, visit www.downtownpocomoke.com.
“The band already has a good following, but there were lots of locals too. It was one of my personal favorites,” Karah Lacey, downtown coordinator, said. “The people just loved it — everyone got up and danced.”
Since it was the season’s biggest and most popular show, band manager and lead guitarist James Stewart Jr., said he wasn’t surprised when he was offered the opportunity to return.
“We’d never played there before and wanted to try it out,” he said. “Everyone got up and off their seats, when the sun went down they had their cell phones out. We’re bringing the same energy back.”
That energy is how UpriZing builds its shows — not by a prearranged setlist, but by watching the audience, responding to its reactions and choosing songs on the fly.
“We’ve been a group for only three years, but most of us have been playing our entire lives,” Stewart said.
So, explaining what the band plays can be a little tricky. Generally, UpriZing specializes in funk, rhythm and blues, rock, hip hop and reggae, but has a number of other musical tools at its disposal.
“We never know what we’re going to play when we get up there. We work in all genres — it can go from anything on the radio today to the Doobie Brothers. We get by on our versatility,” Stewart said.
There are touch points, or benchmarks the band starts from at the beginning of a set, but from there the sky is the limit.
“We always have ideas, and there are some universals but we feel out the crowd, and based on their reactions, we build from there,” he said.
Stewart said UpriZing has played all over Salisbury, including the popular Pork in the Park and Good Beer festivals, as well as making the Ocean City rounds with gigs at Seacrets, Coins and throughout West Ocean City.
He said UpriZing was in consideration to perform during September’s Sunfest in Ocean City.
The performance is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at Cypress Park near downtown Pocomoke City. Outside food is allowed, and the town recommends brining in additional lawn chairs.
For more information, visit www.downtownpocomoke.com.