Texas Hippie Coalition is currently on their “Haulin’ Moonshine” tour, making a stop in Jacksonville, NC. During this tour, the band has seen tremendous success with their latest album releasing mid-tour, High In The Saddle, the release of a music video for their single “Moonshine,” and their album ranking 4th on the Billboard charts.
Their Jacksonville show really showed what the “Texas Hippie Coalition” is, and not just the band. Fans of the band are part of the coalition and are really one big family. The night saw all walks of life at the venue from little tykes, to big surly bikers enjoying the Red Dirt metal.
Opening the bill was local band, Victim of the Cause. The Southern Rock band was the perfect fit for the evening. Fans instantly crowded the stage as soon as they walked on stage with fists in the air.
Local favorite, Faith & Scars were next for the night. Another great fit for the evening as they drew the crowd with their own fans crowding the stage and chanting “Faith & Scars” for their final song. With the acoustic cover of Prince’s “Purple Rain,” the crowd did a complete 180 going from singing along with their fists in the air, to silence as they listened to the vocalist belt the lyrics.
Finally, the Hippies came on, singing old and new songs. During their entire set, the audience members weren’t “just” fans, but it was clear that they were part of the THC Family, or “Coalition.” Big Dad Rich recalled everyone with stories all night of his youth and where their songs came from. Each member had a way of interacting with each individual while playing that their performance felt personal.
Just before “Pissed Off and Mad about It,” Big Dad Rich got real with the crowd for a night, that was encouraging in his own way, about being yourself, unapologetically, even if you’re offensive in today’s offended society, or simply just “Pissed Off.”
Closing the night, a Jacksonville member of their coalition came on stage to get “Patched” after missing a ceremony earlier in the year with the band. With humble thanks to the coalition in Jacksonville, especially the new member, for all of their support for the band to tour so far from home, the night ended with a fitting Motley Crüe curtain call before ending the night.
Make sure you follow Texas Hippie Coalition and see them live if they come near you! You will not regret this live show–it’s more than just music, but a family experience at a Hippie show. Download their new album, which is quite frankly, their best one yet!
