It was one of those rare, sweltering days—temperatures well into the 90s, the air heavy with humidity, and the kind of heat that seeps into your skin. But if anything, it made the evening’s performances at the Maine Savings Amphitheatre feel even more electric. Against the glowing backdrop of Penobscot Bay, High June and The Black Crowes delivered a night that was as hot in energy as the weather.
The amphitheatre’s stage was set ablaze by High June, a band that self‑declares they “don’t quite know what they are, and honestly, they’re fine with that.” And from the moment they opened with “The Chase”, their boundless, alternative sound was unmistakable. Blending a chaotic mix of genres, they confidently flouted convention and carved out a wholly unique sonic space.
Originating in 2021, with their final lineup locking in at East Carolina University by 2023, these five unpredictable college friends—determined to avoid “real jobs”—have quickly made a name for themselves . Their debut single, “Crazy ‘Bout You,” dropped in July 2023 and was followed by ten more tracks that all defy categorization, yet retain an undeniably High June vibe.
They powered through a dynamic set including:
- The Chase
- What I Need
- Crazy ‘Bout You
- Even Flow
- Phenomenon
- Hearbeat
- Won’t Remember This (their 2000s‑style “American Pie” anthem, raw and emotive)
- Coming Home Soon
- Let You Go
- After Hours
Every song felt like an experiment—each release a new risk, every note an invitation to feel deeply. Their performance of “Won’t Remember This” was both intimate and explosive, building an emotional bridge with the crowd that felt like one big shared breath—and a shared defiance of 9‑to‑5 life.
As of August 2023, the current lineup featured the Robinson brothers alongside longtime bassist Sven Pipien, and newer members Nico Bereciartua (lead guitar), Cully Symington (drums), and Erik Deutsch (keyboards) . That lineup shone brightly this steamy night.
From the opening riff of “Bedside Manners”, the band launched into a classic-driven set that felt both nostalgic and fresh. Highlights included:
- Bedside Manners
- Sting Me
- Thick n’ Thin
- Twice as Hard
- Gone
- Under a Mountain
- Sister Luck
- Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution
- Soul Singing
- Hard to Handle (Otis Redding cover)
- Wiser Time
- What Is Home (originally by The Magpie Salute, sung by Rich Robinson)
- A Conspiracy
- She Talks to Angels
- Jealous Again
- Remedy
Cully Symington’s drumming and Bereciartua’s shimmering guitar lines drove the crowd through soulful ballads and rowdy rockers, while Rich and Chris Robinson’s vocals remained in fine, distinctive form. “Hard to Handle” had the crowd dancing under the lights, and “She Talks to Angels” brought a quiet reverence from a soaking, sweaty crowd just as the sun was dipping behind the water.
The Black Crowes, delivered a masterclass in showmanship. Their extensive setlist flowed seamlessly, hitting classics and deeper cuts with equal passion. Even as the temperature “did them a favor” by driving fans closer for shade—or a good spot—they fed off that energy, bringing their trademark bluesy, gritty swagger to full bloom.
Under the scorching Maine summer sky and framed by the calm of Penobscot Bay, this double‑bill delivered unforgettable highs. High June blazed in with youth and unpredictability, and The Black Crowes grounded the night with seasoned craftsmanship and musical soul. It was a night that reminded us: great live music can beat the heat, flood the senses, and make a steamy evening unforgettable.
