Concert Review: Dante High and Fancy Gap (Cat's Cradle)

BY DREW DRAIN

The Cat’s Cradle, a cornerstone of North Carolina’s live music scene, played host to a stunning double bill: Dante High and Fancy Gap. The two acts, though stylistically distinct, delivered a night of music that both honored the area’s rich indie rock heritage and pointed toward its vibrant future.

Fancy Gap opened the night with their signature blend of dream pop and Appalachian-inspired melodies. The sound is a lush and cinematic experience, weaving shimmering guitars, airy synths, and plaintive vocals into soundscapes that evoke the sweeping landscapes of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Lead singer and guitarist Stuart McLamb is no stranger to the North Carolina music scene. Fans of local indie rock recognized him immediately as the frontman of The Love Language, a project that captured hearts with its raw emotion and lo-fi charm during the late 2000s. For longtime fans, seeing McLamb on stage again was a poignant moment. The Love Language was a defining band for many in the local scene, and Fancy Gap’s set served as a reminder of McLamb’s enduring talent and his ability to reinvent himself without losing his roots.

With Fancy Gap, McLamb has evolved, trading The Love Language’s scrappy energy for a more polished, reflective approach. The highlight of their set was the hauntingly beautiful “Magnolias,” a track that seamlessly merges McLamb’s knack for emotional storytelling with the band’s layered, expansive sound. McLamb dedicated the song to Reese McHenry while wearing a Dirty Little Heaters shirt to pay homage to one of her many musical ventures. She had lost her battle to sarcoma earlier in the day. His voice, always expressive, carried a new depth, resonating with the weight of experience.

Following Fancy Gap’s atmospheric set, Dante High brought an entirely different kind of energy to the stage. The Triangle-based quartet delivered a performance bursting with high-octane riffs, punchy rhythms, and a palpable sense of fun. Frontman Caleb Vega proved to be a charismatic force, whipping the crowd into a frenzy with his fiery vocals and commanding stage presence.

Their set was an adrenaline-fueled ride, with thunderous drumming and gritty guitar lines that got the audience moving. The band’s ability to blend genres was on full display, pulling from punk, alternative rock, and even touches of glam to create a sound that felt both fresh and familiar.

For longtime fans of the local scene, the night carried added significance. A local musical stalwart was lost earlier in the day. The night at the Cradle was a musical elegy for McHenry. Her music carried a raw honesty that resonated deeply with listeners, blending soul, rock, and grit into a voice that could break hearts and heal them in the same breath. Her passing left a void not just in the music world but in the lives of all who were moved by her fierce spirit and unyielding authenticity. The performances of Fancy Gap and Dante High gave those in attendance a chance to participate in communal mourning and to celebrate McHenry’s loss.

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DREW DRAIN

Andrew (Drew) Drain is originally from Point Pleasant, WV, and he now resides in Chapel Hill, NC with his daughter. Drew works as a financial risk management professional to pay the bills, but his real passion is photography. He started taking photos of his daughter playing soccer as a way to resist the urge to coach her from the sidelines. Time behind the camera developed into a love for photography that he has paired with his love for sports and live music. Follow Drew’s Instagram, @Drew.Drain.Photo or his MaxPreps galleries, to check out more of his work or contact him if you need photos of your favorite athlete or performer.

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