With a tangerine coloured guitar slung loosely around his shoulder, Joe Lewis tapped his toe on one of the monitors resting on the stage in front of him. A small sign reading “NO STAGE DIVING” was taped to the side facing the audience.

“They put this up ‘cause of me” Lewis announces triumphantly, referring to the sign. “Because I’m such a trend setter.”

The crowd in front of the stage cheered, and although there clearly wasn’t going to be any stage diving this evening, the floor of the Rickshaw was brimming with fans focused on shaking some booty to the funky soulful blues music of Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears. The six-piece from Austin, Texas was in Vancouver celebrating the ten-year anniversary of Tell ‘Em What Your Name Is, their major-label debut album.

They played the full album front to back, as many artists do these days, before slipping unceremoniously into newer material. I’d been waiting to hear “Sugarfoot” played live for a full ten years and as it was the second track from the album, it was the second song they played. In case anyone is keeping score, yes, it was everything I dreamed it would be.

The two members of the horn section stood on stage left, the drummer kept the beat on the back line, the bass player and another six-string guitar player were in sync on stage left. Joe Lewis was front and centre, full of retro soul, neo-funk and millennial attitude.

“Take Me to Booty City” was another highlight that had everyone singing and dancing along. It was the final song of their set, but fans didn’t have to wait too long before the band came back out for the encore. As Lewis led the charge to close out the show, the Honeybears left the stage one by one, each giving a short bow, or abrupt wave as they exited.

Never in a million years, will I understand how Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears aren’t a yet household name, but I will always be grateful I got a night like this one to experience their music.

Shout out to Trailerhawk for opening the night with some endearing love stories and some Americana style rock and roll.