Opening a show is never an easy job, but Dexter and the Moonrocks did just that on July 17 at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Texas quartet delivered a performance that set the tone for an unforgettable night.
Joining Muscadine Bloodline and headliners Turnpike Troubadours, Dexter and the Moonrocks hit the stage at 7 p.m. and wasted no time making their presence known. The opening chords of “Sad in Carolina” were met with cheers as fans immediately sang along. Without slowing down, the band rolled into “Messed Up Kid” and “12 Steps,” feeding off a crowd that matched their intensity from start to finish. Their signature blend of grunge, alternative rock, and country, what they proudly call “Western Space Grunge” felt right at home, with every song drawing louder reactions than the last.
That energy reached another level with “Ritalin,” the song which helped fuel Dexter and the Moonrocks’ rapid rise, earning hundreds of millions of streams across digital platforms while landing on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay and Hot Rock & Alternative Songs charts. The band introduced fans to their latest single, “If You Could Talk,” and the response made it clear the song is already earning its place alongside their biggest releases. For a track that has only recently arrived, the audience knew it well another sign of the loyal following Dexter and the Moonrocks continue to build.
As the set neared its finale, frontman James Tuffs thanked the Charlotte crowd before teasing that there was one last song. The opening notes of “Simple Man” echoed through the amphitheater, leading many to expect a faithful rendition of the Lynyrd Skynyrd classic. Instead, the band pulled the rug out from under everyone.The familiar melody quickly transformed into their now viral version before erupting into “Freakin’ Out,” sending the crowd into a frenzy. Thousands of fans jumped, screamed every lyric, and turned the amphitheater into one massive singalong.
What began as a fan favorite has become the band’s defining breakout hit, cementing Dexter and the Moonrocks as one of rock’s fastest-rising acts. “Freakin’ Out” has surpassed 130 million Spotify streams, exploded across TikTok, climbed to No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100, and earned the band their second No. 1 on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart. Watching it unfold live made those accomplishments easy to understand. The connection between the band and the Charlotte audience was undeniable as thousands of voices took over the chorus, creating one of the most electric moments of the evening.
Before leaving the stage, Dexter and the Moonrocks thanked the Charlotte crowd for their support and encouraged everyone to bring that same energy for Muscadine Bloodline before Turnpike Troubadours closed out the night.
Upcoming tour dates:
July 31 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park (with Turnpike Troubadours)
August 1 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight (with Turnpike Troubadours)
August 4 – Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre
August 7 – Billings, MT – The Pub Station
August 8 – Bozeman, MT – The ELM
August 27 – Starkville, MS – Rick’s Cafe
August 28 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl Nashville
August 29 – North Charleston, SC – North Charleston Coliseum (Bulls, Bands & Barrels)
September 4 – Pryor, OK – Rocklahoma Festival
September 5 – Grand Island, NE – Nebraska State Fair
September 24 – Albuquerque, NM – El Rey Theater
September 25 – Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre
September 26 – Hollywood, CA – Hollywood Palladium
October 10 – Ballarat, VIC, Australia – Spilt Milk Festival
October 14 – Melbourne, VIC, Australia – Festival Hall (with Bailey Zimmerman)
October 16 – Sydney, NSW, Australia – Hordern Pavilion (with Bailey Zimmerman)
October 17 – Newcastle, NSW, Australia – Spilt Milk Festival
October 18 – Sunshine Coast (Bokarina), QLD, Australia – Spilt Milk Festival
October 31 – Dallas, TX – The Bomb Factory
November 19 – Austin, TX – Emo’s
November 20 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
November 21 – San Antonio, TX – Stable Hall
