Local band The Erly will be returning to Stockroom East Saturday, March 8 for their first South Bend show of 2025.
The band, recognized as Red Chuck Productions’ Best Local Live Band of 2024, was on the road to play in Nashville when we spoke on the phone about the upcoming event.
“I’m excited to share our progress from that time,” said keyboardist Simon Kauffman Hurst, referring to the past year of touring on their latest album, Salem Lights, and a winter residency at Goshen, Indiana’s Elephant Bar, playing every Tuesday for faces new and old.
The latest trip south is part of an increased schedule of touring and live shows as the band continues to grow its sound and fanbase. The Erly has stuck a stride as they’re shifted to less standard practicing, exploring their sounds on stage in front of a live audience and in the recording studio, chasing little pieces of magic found in those moments and allowing them to evolve the band.
“We still want to pull out the element that may even surprise us on stage,” said guitarist and vocalist Trevor McDonald.
The Stockroom East show will provide the opportunity for such surprises. Fans can expect to hear new songs as the band headlines the venue for the first time. The Erly regularly grace stages in bars, record stores, and other local venues, but the Stockroom show will put them in a room larger than most. The venue allows for a bigger crowd, but also an intimate proximity to the stage.
“It’s a great place to interact with the crowd,” described bassist and vocalist Collin Mattiford.
Those uninitiated in the experience of a live Erly show can expect a high energy performance channeling the best of rock and roll, soul, and jam band passion. Kauffman Hurst can rarely remain seated behind the keys, while never missing a note, Mattiford and McDonald play as if they’re reaching beyond the ceiling into the heavens, and drummer Fran Gleason makes his presence known wall to wall from behind the kit. Audiences can expect an evening focused on the music.
“There are lots of great venues, bars, etc. in the area, but it’s nice to have a venue like Stockroom where the music is at the forefront,” said Gleason.
Stockroom East has become known for bringing in larger acts from outside of the area, while supporting local artists and merging their audiences, often at the same show.
Supporting The Erly at the show will be local favorites Joe Baughman + The Righteous Few, known for artsy performances and an alluring stage presence.
“They’re just a fun band,” said Kauffman Hurst. “When they play music live, they understand it’s also a show.”
The Erly are hoping to bring plenty of their South Bend fan base to the show, along with new faces attracted to Baughman or the venue. They’ll be testing out the new songs currently in progress, see what emerges naturally, how the crowd reacts, and how the tunes evolve in real time.
“Especially in a crowd like South Bend, we feel comfortable enough to go up there and try out a new song, see how it goes,” described Gleason.
The Erly will arrive with new music, updated merchandise, and a lot of excitement. Discount advance tickets for the March 8th show are available now by visiting stockroomeast.com. More information can be found at theerlyband.com.
Justin Flagel is the founder of Red Chuck Productions, where he writes, tells stories, and creates new media. Follow his work at redchuckproductions.com. Feedback can be directed to contact@redchuckproductions.com.