Trae Pierce & The T-Stones Bring The Party
- Moose Nicholson
- Aug 13
- 6 min read
Trae and The T-Stones Finally Debut
Last October, we thought we were finally getting Trae Pierce & The T-Stones on the Bud Light Stage. The weather had other plans. Hurricane Helene carved a wide path across the Southeast, canceling not just that week’s show (Low Country Locals, 9/26/24) but also the following week’s (OGR, 10/3/24).
By the third week, we were finally getting back to business with Trae & The T-Stones on the calendar for October 10, 2024 — and the skies even looked like they might cooperate.
Then, another hurricane crossed Florida. No threat to us, but enough to leave the band stranded and unable to make it to Aiken.
It’s a crazy coincidence that last year we were looking forward to Trae’s debut during a break in the weather — and this year, he finally got it. Fast forward to August 7, 2025: the temperature never cracked 78°, the sky stayed clear, and The Alley felt like it was exhaling after weeks of monumentally screwed up weather. It wasn’t just another Thursday — it was the kind of night that feels like the whole town has been waiting for it, whether they knew it or not. And for those who remembered last year’s near miss, it felt even sweeter.
Hitting the Ground Dancing
“Never seen so many people dancing!!” said Jennifer Mumford. “It was just one big dancing rave,” added Karen Bunney. “They had the joint jumpin’!” Kevin Hair chimed in. Whether it was Rae pulling the crowd in with pure charisma, Ty ripping into a solo at just the right moment, or G pounding the drums like he was making up for lost time, the groove was relentless.
True to form, G showed up ready to play — except for one small detail: he didn’t have any sticks. The night before, they’d splintered in Florida, and somewhere between that gig and Aiken, replacing them slipped the list. Enter local drummer Josh Granade, coming in like Mariano Rivera with a fresh set before the first note was played. G made good use of them, too — hitting so hard he not only cracked a cymbal but snapped the post it was mounted on, a break so absurd it left even the drummers in the crowd shaking their heads in disbelief.
The Mentor and the Message
Trae is every bit the five-time Grammy-winning bassist his résumé promises, with credits in Hop, Unsung, The Fighting Temptations, Brother Bear, and having worked with legends like James Brown and Phil Collins. But instead of standing as the star of the night, he led like a mentor — giving his “kids” the spotlight and trusting them to rise to it.
It made perfect sense that “Black or White” was part of the set list. Midway through the night, Trae spoke openly about how no matter how different we look, we share the same loves — good music, good times, and love itself — then performed the national anthem with the voice box.
The Amp Community Was The Set List
From there, the set list unfolded like a festival lineup crammed into one band. Michael Jackson to the Beastie Boys. Led Zeppelin to Prince. KC & the Sunshine Band to Stevie Wonder. Elvis and Little Richard mashed into a medley.
It was genre-hopping at its best — proof that wildly different styles can live side by side, just like the people and businesses that make up our downtown. If the night proved anything, it’s that wildly different genres can share the same stage and make perfect sense together. That’s not just true for music — it’s true for downtown Aiken. The mix is the magic, and our sponsors are the reason Thursday nights keep hitting all the right notes.
Some are all about the big swings, like Woodchuckers Axe Throwing, a “Ghostbusters” kind of place where you take down your target with nothing but skill, nerve, and a little friendly trash talk. Others are pure classics, like True Aiken, our “Word Up” — instantly recognizable and always in style. Electric Eats runs on the “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” beat, serving fast, fresh, and ready no matter how the night changes, while Rhumba Rum Bar & Cigar Lounge is our “Fly Away,” the spot you drift to when you need a quick island escape.
Some thrive on volume, like Southbound Smokehouse, a “Fight for Your Right” vibe that’s unapologetic, loud, and impossible to ignore. Reft Equipment Rentals plays the “Stranglehold” role, delivering the power and tools to get it done, whether you’re building or breaking down. Mellow Mushroom keeps the “Boogie Shoes” groove alive — pizza, beer, and that seat-dancing kind of fun — while Downtown Hydration brings the “I Like the Way You Move” energy, keeping everyone feeling young, vibrant, and ready for the next song.
Aiken’s Barbershop carries the “Midnight Hour” cool, sharp looks and easy conversation any time of day, and Whiskey Alley is pure “Georgia” — southern soul, slow-sipped sophistication, and a taste for doing things right. Neon Fig walks in with the “Hard to Handle” energy — bold, stylish, and just untamed enough to keep things interesting — while The Alley Downtown Taproom is our “Express Yourself,” a self-serve wall where every pour is its own personal playlist.
And then there’s Amp the Alley — not just another act in the lineup, but the celebration of everything that came before it. It’s where every style, every business, every flavor, and every neighbor meets in the same space, proving that when it all comes together, Thursday nights in Aiken are as unforgettable as any headliner.
Last year, a hurricane kept Trae Pierce & The T-Stones from ever setting foot on the Bud Light Stage. This year, they played to a packed alley under perfect skies. And in between the first note and the last, they turned strangers into neighbors, neighbors into friends, and friends into a crowd moving like one.
Thursdays in The Alley aren’t just about what’s on stage — they’re proof that no matter what blows through, this town knows how to come together and make a night of it.
“Probably the best band to date. Wish they didn’t stop the music.” – Tony Montenes
We’ll let Tony have the final word on that one — but we’re glad Amp keeps bringing bands that earn the title “best” week after week. Tomorrow, Edward Phillips and The Blues keeps it going.
Crowd Shots
Super Stack Saturdays
Downtown Hydration is stacking the deck this Saturday — literally. It’s a Super Stack Saturday, and they’re pairing up their powerhouse IV blends for prices you won’t see every day. Whether you’re chasing energy, immunity, recovery, or that extra glow, this is the weekend to try a double dose of what makes you feel unstoppable. Four different stack combos, all built to keep you feeling your best — the only question is, which one are you getting first?
Some Weather Never Changes
True Aiken is calling it — it’s Whiskey and Wine Weather. Their bestselling sweaters are back, officially on pre-sale before they even hit the floor. Order now, and you’ll be the first to wear the weather when the season turns. $74, sizes S–XL, ready to ship or pick up in-store. Whether you’re a whiskey pour or a wine glass in hand, this is the uniform for cooler days ahead.
Black and White
Cool Off With Some Summer Heat
From The Lounge at Electric Eats, meet the snack that’s about to take over your cravings — Buffalo Cucumbers. Cool, crisp cucumber slices get a toss in house-made buffalo sauce, then a ranch drizzle, fresh dill, and chives seal the deal. Light enough to keep snacking, spicy enough to keep you hooked, and completely GF + V friendly so everyone can dig in. Grab them on Doordash or pull up a seat inside — but be warned, one bite and you’re committed.
Girl Dinner
Rhumba’s turning Wednesdays into a reason to rally the group chat. August 13th, Girl Dinner comes with live music from Evan on the sax — smooth notes to go with your martini of choice. For $32, you’ll get a cocktail (Espresso, Cosmo, Lemon Drop, or Dirty), your pick of grilled chicken or shrimp, plus a side salad and fries. It’s the midweek reset you actually look forward to. If you missed it last week, don’t make the same mistake twice — Rhumba is the place to be every Wednesday night.
Tomorrow: Edward Phillips & The Blue
Tomorrow night, Edward Phillips and The Blues take the Bud Light Stage — bringing a sound built on history and played with heart. When he’s not performing, Edward’s breaking down the roots and styles of the blues for nearly 50,000 YouTube subscribers, so you know you’re getting the real deal. Expect a set that moves from deep tradition to fresh twists, with the kind of groove that makes The Alley feel like a back-porch jam in the middle of downtown.
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