The near sold-out crowd at Jane Pickens Theater hung on every word as husband-and-wife duo Drew and Ellie Holcomb delivered two sets of largely original material on Friday, July 18th. After nearly 20 years of performing separately—Drew with his band Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, Ellie as a solo Christian artist—the couple has joined forces for their new release “Memory Bank,” and their musical chemistry was undeniable.
The Newport audience, who had traveled from near and far, sang along beautifully in perfect unison, often louder than the duo themselves. Drew and Ellie alternated between original offerings and joined each other in harmonies that sounded effortless—as if they’d been performing together for decades rather than reuniting after separate careers.
The intimate atmosphere was enhanced by charming family moments. The couple is touring with their children in a borrowed RV, and Drew shared that their child, who had visited Plymouth Rock that morning while he had not, proclaimed “Dad, it’s small!” when asked about the experience. After two songs, Ellie noted it was hotter up north than expected and proceeded to remove her cowboy boots while standing. Drew warned the audience that touring with the Neighbors was usually “on track,” but Ellie bellowed, “not with me!” Drew’s advice: “buckle up!”
The audience called out several requests, all of which were honored. The song garnering the most vocal response was their cover of Walk The Moon’s “Shut Up And Dance,” which totally rocked the house. The couple launched into a playful “You Drive Me Crazy,” featuring Drew on a mouth trumpet solo that can be heard on their new recording. The second set featured each offering one-verse snippets of different pieces they’d written, trading back and forth in an engaging musical conversation.
This high-spirited duo exudes love and embraces their audience like family—the experience felt like one enduring communal hug. Their inclusion of family on the road and appreciation for families in the audience creates something rare in live music. Their message is one of hope and faith in overcoming adversity, delivered through boundless creativity that moves audiences to the core.
Their tour continues around the northeast until early August, with an appearance on August 2 in Old Saybrook, CT. Come and hear them if you can—you deserve a hug!
Photo Gallery
All photos by Jack Casey for What’sUpNewp.
