Last Friday, amidst frighteningly low temperatures, music enthusiasts gathered under the bright neon lights of Local 506 on Franklin Street for a spirited evening of rock 'n' roll, dancing and a trip down history lane provided by Curtis Eller’s American Circus.
Eller and his band, The American Circus, stopped in Chapel Hill to perform for their 2025 East Coast Tour, which celebrates their new album "Another Nice Mess." The band includes Stacy Wolfson, the harmony singer; Hugh Crumley, bassist; Stephen Cowles, saxophonist and flautist; and Andy Lyth, drummer. Eller himself is a seasoned banjo player, songwriter and rock 'n' roll performer who intertwines old silent film stars, American history and storytelling into his songs and performances.
“Banjo is a decorative instrument and sort of a bluegrass setting, but I wanted to put it in the center of the rock 'n' roll band because it's kind of crude and I love how there's so much space between the notes,” Eller said.
People filed into Local 506, an all-ages rock club, in anticipation of the 8 p.m. music kickoff, where singer and instrumentalist Crystal Bright opened the show with a dynamic setlist that got audience members dancing and singing along with her.
Shortly after, Eller took the stage for a few solo songs, twirling up and down the elevated platform and captivating audiences with his expressive performance. Finally, the rest of The American Circus joined him, igniting the room with popular releases from their new album, like “Conscientious Objector,” and older titles such as “Saving my Heart for the Butcherman.”
The audience was crucial to the lively atmosphere that filled Local 506, as everyone was upbeat and engaged, listening intently to Eller's deep dives into the lore and characters behind his songs before he began playing.
Lyth, The American Circus’ drummer, said that it’s the stories behind Eller’s songs that capture people’s imagination. Lyth added that he’s never been in another band where the audience really listens and pays attention to the lyrics and stories behind the songs as much as the music itself.
The American Circus’ newest album takes listeners on a vibrant tour of American history, politics, culture and old silent films stars, including the comedy duo “Laurel and Hardy” for which the album was named. Eller’s work uses storytelling to bring his songs and performances to life, conveying messages within each verse.
“There's one on it called 'Conscientious Objector,' which is in a roundabout way kind of about Muhammad Ali and kind of like resisting the political winds of darkness. And it seems to speak to the moment for sure, and I take Muhammad Ali as a real inspiration,” Eller said.
