Farmers Also - Radio Source Rocks the First Night of the Farmers Market.
- Moose Nicholson
- Jun 11
- 9 min read
Are Weathermen as Anxious as Us?
We Know. We Talk About the Weather a Lot.
At this point, you could set your watch by it: Thursday rolls around, and we start nervously refreshing radar apps like they're stock tickers. By Wednesday, I'm writing about it again. I guess I can't stress enough, how much we try to ensure The Thursday Night Party happens.
The truth is, we second-guess the skies just as much as you do. Probably more. Every week, it’s a fresh round of “Will it? Won’t it?”. God knows we get asked about the weather more than we do the bands—and every week, the safe bet is showing up anyway.
Because even when the forecast says chaos, Amp seems to find a way to bring the community together. And this past Thursday? No rain. Just a flood of energy, dancing, and a band that knew exactly how to use both.
Crafts and Crops
This past Thursday marked the start of the monthly overlap between Amp and the Farmers Market in The Alley—a combo I’ll lovingly refer to as Crafts and Crops, because let’s be honest: farmers markets aren’t what they used to be. And that’s not a dig—it’s an upgrade.
Sure, you’ll still find the produce and pickles. But you’ll also find jewelry, soap, woodwork, dog treats, handmade lemonade, and vendors with vibes that lean more Etsy than agrarian. And when you blend that with a live show, it starts to feel like Aiken’s version of a street festival—except nobody had to close the street.
It’s not just that two events happened at once—it’s that they amplified each other. The crowd was thicker. The energy was higher. The in-between moments—like buying microgreens while Metallica plays—felt like the best kind of crossover episode. The Farmers Market will continue through the month of June.
Here for the party!
You know that slightly guilty feeling you get when you skip the ceremony and just show up for the reception? Like yeah, technically you’re here to support the happy couple, but really—you came for the open bar, the dance floor, and to see if Aunt Linda is still wild with the Cupid Shuffle.
It’s a gamble. Sometimes the wedding band is straight-up Adam Sandler from The Wedding Singer, and suddenly you’re wondering if sitting through the vows wouldn’t have been the worst part after all. In that case, you kind of deserve it—you tried to shortcut the experience and got slapped with a bad saxophone solo and a lukewarm chicken dinner.
But Thursday was the jackpot.
No ceremony, all celebration.
Radio Source brought the kind of setlist that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled into the greatest wedding reception ever—and somehow every track is your favorite, too. The energy was undeniable, but like any real-deal reception, the dance floor didn’t light up right away. At first, it was a cautious perimeter—people ringed around the edges like wedding guests scoping the scene, drinks in hand, waiting to see who breaks first. Then, one bold soul steps out. Maybe two. And with that, the barrier breaks.
The crowd that had been politely parted like the Red Sea came crashing together with the force of pure euphoric energy. No more clear path to the bar. No safe return to your quiet table. Just music, movement, and the kind of joyful chaos that lures the hesitant and rewards the brave. Metallica. Walk the Earth. Collective Soul. Jimmy Eat World. The Outfield. The Killers. Journey. They delivered dynamic vocals as well as song choice, backed by thumping bass and drums, and carried by some of the sickest guitar shredding I've seen in a while. All of it effortlessly.
By the time they wrapped the main set, the floor was fully claimed. And when the encore hit, it wasn’t an encore—it was a victory lap.
Bring a Gift
Yeah, I’ve skipped the ceremony and just showed up for the party.
Felt a little guilty about it, sure.
But I always brought a gift—something to say “thanks” for the open bar, the live band, the food, the vibe. A token of appreciation for the folks who made it all happen. Maybe I justify it by knowing they won't realize if I'm sitting in a pew or not, but I definitely make time to see them face to face, hug them, and give them my support and wish them success.
That’s how I think about our sponsors.
They’ve helped throw this ongoing celebration—not just for Amp, but for downtown itself. They’ve invested their time, money, staff, and resources into making Thursdays matter. Into making Aiken matter. They’re not just advertising—they’re committing. They’re marrying their businesses to the future of this place.
So yea, we throw a pretty awesome party without the boring ceremony before hand.
Just don’t come empty-handed.
Because the gift is everything you do to give back to the people who make this work.
It’s a bucket of Bud Light at Electric Eats.
A fresh cut at Aiken’s Barbershop. Weedeater string at Reft Equipment.
A cigar and conversation at Rhumba.
A B12 injection from Tasha at Downtown Hydration when you’ve been running low.
It’s a nightcap at Whiskey.
A pizza with your kids at Mellow.
Pouring your own beer at The Taproom. It’s sharing this blog. Telling a friend.
And when you do that—when you make that part of your ritual—it becomes its own little ceremony. A weekly practice. A thank-you that keeps this whole thing alive.
So yeah, show up for the party.
Just bring a gift.
REFT Equipment Gears Up for Father’s Day
Whether it’s trimming the lawn or tackling a to-do list that never quite ends, dads know how to get things done. And this Father’s Day, REFT Equipment Company is helping you celebrate the man who does it all—with $150 off qualifying Ariens Ikon mowers.
This isn’t just a gift. It’s a power move.
The kind of present that turns yard work into an art form—and reminds Dad that he’s got the tools to master it.
🧡 Save $150 off select Ariens Ikons
🛠 Offer valid during the Father’s Day Sales Event
📍 Visit REFT Equipment Company to learn more and test drive one for yourself.
Whether you’re shopping for Dad—or you are Dad and need a solid excuse to upgrade—REFT’s got your back.
📍 3175 Whiskey Road, Aiken, SC
📞 803-644-7368
🕐 Mon–Fri: 7am–5pm | Sat: 7:30am–1pm
Tasha Shares Her Own Experiences
We love sharing the ways our sponsors make an impact—not just on Thursdays during Amp, but every day in how they care for our community. Downtown Hydration & Wellness isn’t just about IV drips and vitamin shots—it’s about paying attention to the signals your body’s been trying to send all along.
In this week’s “Truth Talk Tuesday,” (follow Downtown Hydration on Facebook and Instagram for more tips and stories) founder and registered nurse Tasha shared a deeply personal reminder: health issues don’t always announce themselves with alarms. Sometimes they sneak in quietly—tingling hands, dizziness, a strange sense that something is “off.” In her case, those early signs built up until the words “possible brain tumor” came up in conversation.
Thankfully, the real culprit was a severe B-12 deficiency—an issue that was simple to treat but easy to miss.
It’s a reminder that listening to your body isn’t a luxury—it’s essential.
And sometimes the smallest interventions can lead to the biggest improvements.
If you’ve been feeling off, fatigued, foggy, or just “not yourself,” stop guessing and start exploring your options. The team at Downtown Hydration is here to help you decode what your body might be trying to say—with kindness, experience, and care.
Taste of Aiken: Chef Chad Takes the Spotlight
We talk a lot about how Amp the Alley brings the best of Aiken together—and our sponsors are proof that what happens on Thursdays is just one part of a much bigger story.
Coming up on Saturday, July 12, Chef Chad Jajczyk—the creative force behind Whiskey Alley and Prime Steakhouse—will headline Taste of Aiken: Live, a one-night-only cooking show hosted by The Aiken Standard and sponsored by The Aiken Dining Group.
This isn’t your average demo. It’s an evening of fire, finesse, and full-flavored storytelling set on stage at Aiken High School’s Performing and Visual Arts Auditorium.
Whether you’ve carved into a bone-in ribeye at Prime or navigated the ever-evolving printed menu of scratch-made dishes at Whiskey Alley, this is your chance to see the chef behind it all—live, unfiltered, and right in the heart of Aiken.
📍 Aiken High School
🗓 Saturday, July 12 | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
🎟 Ticket Options:
– Savor Pass (General Admission): $12
– VIP Front Row Seat: $25
– Chef’s Table Experience (Includes Meet & Greet): $55
👉 Get your tickets here: Eventbrite Link
Presented by The Aiken Standard
Sponsored by The Aiken Dining Group: Whiskey Alley, Prime Steakhouse, and The Alley Downtown Taproom
Rhumba’s Cocktail Workshop Series Kicks Off June 18
One of our favorite things about Amp the Alley is spotlighting sponsors who don’t just support the arts—they create them in their own spaces. Enter Rhumba Rum & Cigar Lounge, who are serving up a whole new kind of experience starting this month.
On Wednesday, June 18 at 6:30 PM, Rhumba kicks off their Let’s Make Cocktails workshop series with a hands-on Mojito-making class built for beginners, home hosts, and anyone who’s ever watched a bartender with envy.
This isn’t just a drink—it’s a night out:
🍹 Learn how to properly build a Mojito from scratch
🧊 Enjoy a welcome drink + the featured cocktail during your session
🍽 Includes a curated appetizer pairing
🧠 45-minute session, limited to just 12 guests
💸 $55 per person
🗓 21+ only
📍 Rhumba Rum & Cigar Lounge
321 Richland Ave W, Aiken, SC
📞 803-226-0014
Whether it’s a date night or just a different kind of Wednesday, this series brings Rhumba’s signature flair and flavor behind the bar and into your hands. And if Mojitos aren’t your thing—don’t worry. Another cocktail is coming in July… but they’re keeping that recipe secret for now.
True Aiken Knows What Cool Dads Really Want
If you’re still trying to figure out what to get Dad, stop guessing. True Aiken has already done the hard part—curating a table full of local finds, Aiken originals, and gift ideas that are actually worth wrapping.
Whether he’s a golf guy, a horse dad, or just a fan of thoughtful gear with local flair, True Aiken’s Father’s Day collection is stocked and ready to help you score some serious gift-giving points.
🧢 Original tees and hats
🏇 Gifts for Aiken-loving dads
🎁 Handpicked items he’ll actually use
This isn’t about overthinking—it’s about shopping early, shopping local, and walking out with something that feels like Aiken.
The Start of An Electrtic Summer!
If you’ve been to Amp, you already know Electric Eats is more than just a great spot for dinner—it’s also the kind of place that leans into community, creativity, and cool vibes. This June, they’re running a full slate of summer events to keep the energy flowing all month long.
Here's what’s happening:
🟠 Friday, June 13 | 6 PM
Drinks, music, and an easygoing Friday night vibe—no reservations needed.
🟣 Friday, June 20 | 6 PM
$45 includes all materials, a glass of wine or beer, plus 10% off food & drinks.
👉 Register on Eventbrite
🌞 Saturday, June 21 | 4 PM
Tiki drinks, throwback movies, trivia, and games with prizes. Come in beachwear, just because.
💚 Friday, June 27 | 6 PM
Smooth tunes + great food = your Friday plan.
🟤 Saturday, June 28 | 6 PM
Close the month with good eats, good sounds, and no cover.
Tomorrow: The Grumble Brings 90's Nostalgia to the Bud Light Stage
They’re the soundtrack to every half-forgotten summer, every mix CD burned in a high school bedroom, and every night that ended in a group sing-along at a bar that still had a jukebox.
The Grumble is back at Amp—and this time, the alt rock nostalgia is hitting loud and unapologetic.
Expect the songs you forgot you knew by heart:
Kryptonite
All For You
One Headlight
Mr. Jones
What I Got
Heaven Let Your Light Shine Down
…and plenty more that blur the line between throwback and therapy.
Whether you were there the first time or just wish you had been, you’ll feel this one.
Next Week: Anna & The Funkle Brothers
Next week we are proud to welcome Anna & The Funkle Brothers to the Bud Light Stage for their Amp debut!
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