It’s Just Louder in Cincinnati
On April 30, Northside Tavern won’t just be another neighborhood bar with a stage. It’ll be the heart of a living, breathing, full-volume proof that rock and roll is still very much alive—and Cincinnati is still one of its loudest champions. The lineup? A three-act riot of riffs and rebellion featuring J Roddy Walston, The Lions Rampant, and The Silkies. Each act represents a different thread of the rock tapestry: seasoned energy, ragged authenticity, and fresh-faced flair. Together, they form a powerful reminder that Cincinnati’s rock scene isn’t just surviving—it’s surging.
My personal highlight of the night, J Roddy Walston, a Southern preacher of piano-pounding rock if ever there was one. Walston’s known for his gospel-soaked vocals, gospel-and-whiskey stage presence, and songs that feel like they were born in a church and raised in a bar. As frontman of J Roddy Walston & The Business, he built a rabid fanbase through sheer force of passion and performance. Now, post-Business, Walston is just as fiery—if not more free. Catching him in an intimate venue like Northside Tavern is like watching a lit match dance across gasoline: wild, unpredictable, and unforgettable.
Then there’s The Lions Rampant, Northern Kentucky’s snarling contribution to the garage rock revival. They don’t just play songs—they sweat them. Their sound—equal parts Rolling Stones grit and Midwestern grime—is best captured on their album It’s Fun to Do Bad Things, a record that’s basically an invitation to skip work, crash a party, and leave your filter at home. Frontman Stuart MacKenzie doesn’t phone anything in, and their live show is the kind of chaotic communion that makes you believe in the raw power of three chords and the truth.
But rock isn’t just about looking back. The Silkies, Cincinnati’s own new-school garage popsters, bring a refreshing lo-fi charm that nods to the past while skipping confidently into the future. Their reverb-drenched guitars and surfy swagger offer a more playful take on rock’s edge, full of promise and potential. If you like your punk with a wink and your pop with a bite, you’ll want to be front and center when The Silkies take the stage.
What’s remarkable is that this show isn’t some big-ticket, big-box event. It’s happening in a bar, in a neighborhood, on a Wednesday night. That’s the magic of Cincinnati. For decades, this city has punched above its weight in rock and roll. In the '50s and '60s, Cincinnati’s King Records helped birth rhythm and blues and laid the groundwork for rock’s earliest incarnations. James Brown recorded some of his most famous tracks here. Later, the city's dive bars and VFW halls became breeding grounds for punk, alt-rock, and grunge long before Spotify algorithms tried to tell you what to like.
Cincinnati has always had this grit—an independent streak that shows up in its music. It’s not a city that tries to chase trends or play catch-up with coastal scenes. It’s a place where bands like The Afghan Whigs, Wussy, Heartless Bastards, and Foxy Shazam grew organically, playing loud in basements and low-ceiling bars before anyone outside the 513 caught on.
Now, in 2025, that spirit is alive and well. And it’s cheap, too—just twenty bucks if you buy early.
The April 30 show at Northside Tavern is more than a concert. It’s a reminder that rock still thrives in its natural habitat: sweaty rooms, good beer, bad lighting, and a crowd that wants to feel something real. It’s not about nostalgia—it’s about now. These bands aren’t imitating past glory. They’re channeling it, twisting it, and shouting it back at a world that desperately needs a little less polish and a little more soul.
So if you’ve ever said “rock is dead,” do yourself a favor and spend a Wednesday night in Northside. You’ll find out it’s not just alive—it’s screaming.
🎟️ Grab your tickets at cincyticket.com before they’re gone.