The String Cheese Incident in Oklahoma City
The String Cheese Incident brought their 2024 Heartland Fall Tour to Oklahoma City Wednesday night, bringing their unique and spirited blend of music to the city’s downtown entertainment venue, The Criterion.
The band is celebrating their 30th year anniversary as part of these dates, and this was the Colorado band’s first show back in the OKC area since the summer of 2002, and only the 6th performance here in the Sooner state in their history. The night’s show was also a homecoming of sorts for vocalist/bassist, Keith Moseley, who was born here in Oklahoma and had a lively group of friends and family in attendance.
The String Cheese Incident is comprised of Michael Kang (vocals, mandolin, electric guitar and violin), Bill Nershi (vocals, guitars) the previously mentioned Keith Moseley (vocals, bass), Kyle Hollingsworth (keys and accordion) and Michael Travis and Jason Hahn (drums, percussion). Formed in Boulder, Colorado area in 1993, the band has developed a strong and loyal following over the years. With a sound firmly anchored in the traditions of bluegrass, SCI has continuously evolved it’s musical influences as it’s traveled the country these past 30 years. As such, you’re as likely to find yourself grooving along with a calypso/reggae vibe one moment, only to have that emerge into a country/funk barn-burner accentuated by a psychedelic drippy electronica/trance endeavor. Put it all together, and night after night SCI is simply put, one of the undisputed OGs of the jamband scene. They’re still killing it today.
This was my first chance seeing The String Cheese Incident, though I’ve seen various members occasionally performing in various configurations over the years, I was eager to get my first “Incident” on the books. I’ve long been familiar with and a casual fan of the band, it’s just been logistics that have prevented any previous encounter. As such, I attended the show with zero expectations, and no real knowledge of their setlists or song routines other than having a fewold live shows from my tape trading days. Simply put, despite my unfamiliarity, I felt completely at home. The band’s two sets were inspired, energetic and just plain ol’ fun. Highlights for me from the first set were “Get Tight>Climb,” Moseley’s spirited cover of Tom Petty’s “You Wreck Me” and the set ending “Rollover> Valley of the Jig.”
The second set picked up right were they left it, with “These Waves>Djibouti Bump>Restless Wind” and “Miss Brown’s Treehouse” being my standouts there. The band wrapped things up nice and jammy with a fiery encore of “I Know You Rider>Stir it Up>I Know You Rider” that was just sublime. Throughout the evening I was struck by how much fun the guys in the band seemed to be having. It was also refreshing to see the OKC music fans supporting the band after so many years away. So while it may have taken them some twenty odd years to officially return to OKC, one can hope it won’t take another twenty for the next Oklahoma Incident.
Set 1: Pickin’ to Beat the Devil, Get Tight > Climb, Barstool, You Wreck Me, Rollover > Valley of the Jig
Set 2: Group Hoot, Sweet Spot, These Waves > Djibouti Bump > Restless Wind, One More Time, Tinder Box, Miss Brown’s Teahouse, Colliding
Encore
I Know You Rider > Stir it Up > I Know You Rider
The String Cheese Incident heads into Kansas City Thursday night and then on to Milwaukee for two shows there this weekend, followed by dates across the country. I highly encourage you to catch a show or two if you’re able. The band is firing on all cylinders, and I feel like I can safely say you’re not about to regret it. You can check out all the tour dates and delve into all things String Cheese by visiting the band here: https://www.stringcheeseincident.com
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Show Review: String Cheese Incident at Red Rocks
They are playing in Milwaukee tonight! Looking forward to the show!