photo: Ron Adelberg

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The energy never dimmed at the Ardmore Music Hall as LaMP, the instrumental juggernaut comprised of Russ Lawton (drums), Scott Metzger (guitar), and Ray “the Milkman” Paczkowski (keyboards), put on a brilliant two-set masterclass in how to balance virtuosity with taste, all the while keeping a full room of fans smiling, dancing, and engaged.

In some ways, LaMP emerged fully formed in 2018, when they played their first show at Nectar’s: Lawton and Paczkowski began performing in a duo, Soule Monde, over 25 years ago, and Metzger has been a respected member of the improvisational rock scene he’s been helping shape for at least as long, having developed a lengthy list of collaborators, compositions, and accolades. Since then, the band has functioned as a side project for its members, who have active “day jobs” with Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (Metzger) and the Trey Anastasio Band (Lawton and Paczkowski). But LaMP has come into its own over the last year, refining the live set through multiple tours, as captured in the recently released Live at Nectar’s.

Just after 8pm, Lawton counted the band into “Mimi Digs It,” a funky Soule Monde original that Metzger has put his stamp on over the years, at times stepping back (literally) to make room for Lawton and the Milkman to do their thing. LaMP breathed fresh life into other Soule Monde tunes, as well as pre-LaMP Metzger original “Pork ‘N Slaw,” which opens an excellent album he released with his trio, WOLF! But LaMP really shines with original material, including newer tunes like “Tango,” their first set closer that appears on Live at Nectar’s and others set to appear on the band’s upcoming sophomore LP, to be released in early 2025.

The energy in the room was electric as the band members locked eyes and fed off of one another’s energy, pushing the music to new heights. Lawton provided the rhythmic backbone, driving the music forward with relentless locomotive energy and explosive fills. Paczkowski, a master of sonic textures, seamlessly navigated his arsenal of keyboards, laying down a thick foundation of organ grooves one minute and then switching to clavinet the next. Metzger is one of the most versatile guitarists in the game, making his Telecaster sing, weep, and scream as he engaged in melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic play with his collaborators.

After a short break, the band returned for another illuminating set of tunes, including “Out of Curiosity,” representing the best of their self-titled debut, along with newer originals like “Jasper’s World” and a few longtime covers, including the desert blues of Ali Farka Touré’s “Allah Uya” and South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim’s “Elsie’s River,” which Paczkowski described as a “paean to summer.” The band’s improvisational journeys demonstrate the mind meld they’ve developed over the years: it couldn’t be clearer that this group is important to each of them and that they’re having a blast.

LaMP’s performance at Ardmore Music Hall served as a reminder that music is a living, breathing thing that can transport us to unexpected places. If you have the chance to witness this powerhouse trio in action, be prepared for a night of musical adventure that will leave you breathless and wanting more.