When Marcus King throws a party, you can bet it’ll be soaked in soul, sweat, and lit by an inner southern fire, and the 2025 Family Reunion in Charleston didn’t disappoint. You can probably imagine what Marcus might have originally envisioned. A warm end-of-summer gathering under South Carolina skies, the smell of open-fire BBQ pits bellowing through the air, and the twang of guitars echoing off the weeping trees surrounding Firefly Distillery. But when August storms swept through Charleston with little warning, the show had to pivot, and pivot it did. In under 24 hours, King’s hardworking crew packed up and moved the entire operation indoors to the North Charleston Coliseum. While some may have missed the open sky, what we got was something far more unexpected. A rockabilly music cathedral, with acoustics as crisp as the string pickin' and a crowd whose energy was reminiscent of a Grand Ole Opry audience. The two-day music and food celebration wasn’t just a concert. It was a gathering filled with gratitude and grit. Each artist made their mark on the weekend. From honky-tonk tributes to cosmic jams and high-octane bluegrass, it was two days of celebration, with Marcus himself anchoring both nights.
Night 1
Pearl brought fresh energy to the lineup with their blend of indie folk and Southern rock. Her confident delivery and her band's tight licks highlighted their arrival as a band to watch in Americana’s landscape.
Leah Blevins followed with Appalachian-style ballads that brought quiet intensity to the stage. Her minimalist arrangements and haunting vocals felt emotionally piercing.
The Marcus King Band took the stage and treated the crowd with the collaborative Honky-Tonk Country Jukebox. Marcus King invited a powerhouse lineup of Molly Tuttle, Kendell Marvel, Jamey Johnson, Leah Blevins, Pearl, and even his father, Marvin King, to join him one by one on stage. The result? A bevy of country classics, deep cuts, and good-time vibes. The set felt less like a jam and more like a family hoedown morphed into an arena spectacle.
Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway delivered a stunning display of bluegrass excellence. Her voice soared, her fingerpicking dazzled, and tracks like “Crooked Tree” took on new life in the arena setting.
Jamey Johnson, like an outlaw poet, brought a stripped-down set that stopped the crowd in its tracks. His voice, rough like gravel and thick like honey, cut through the arena on songs like “In Color” and “High Cost of Living.”
Night 2
South Carolina-based Henry’s Pocket delivered upbeat, roots-driven rock that energized the crowd. Their infectious enthusiasm made them the perfect warm-up for what was to come.
Hiss Golden Messenger brought a sound that was equal parts tie-dye and tobacco field. Their mellow, reflective songs rolled in like a warm southern breeze, and for a few songs, it felt like the entire Coliseum was just one massive front porch. Their psychedelic folk-country felt so vibrant, offering the kind of grooves that made you want to close your eyes and just ride the vibe.
Stephen Wilson Jr. brought a much-needed dose of controlled chaos to the evening. His mix of grunge, punk, and country created an edge-of-your-seat performance that had fans captivated. Tracks like “Father’s Son” and his cover of “Something in the Way” showcased his ability to balance vulnerability and intensity in a way few others can.
The Marcus King Band closed out Sunday night with emotional fireworks. His blend of blues, soul, and Southern rock turned the Coliseum into a sanctuary for guitar lovers. King also treated the audience to a preview of tracks from his forthcoming album, Darling Blue. King delivered the kind of performance that wasn't just entertaining; it left an impression on me.
The 2025 Marcus King Band Family Reunion proved it was something bigger than any weather forecast. The venue may have changed, but the spirit and backyard vibe never left. Two nights. Ten artists. A reunion in every sense of the word.
