american aquarium road trip to raleigh 2023

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Average setlist for tour: Roadtrip to Raleigh 2023

Note: only considered 3 of 4 setlists (ignored empty and strikingly short setlists)

• Chicamacomico Play Video
• Casualties Play Video
• All I Needed Play Video
• The Long Haul Play Video
• Coffee & Cigarettes Play Video
• Little Things Play Video
• The World Is on Fire Play Video
• Ramblin' Ways Play Video
• City Lights Play Video
• Lonely Ain't Easy Play Video
• Harmless Sparks Play Video
• Before the Dogwood Blooms Play Video
• Losing Side of Twenty-Five Play Video
• Wolves Play Video
• Shadows of You Play Video
• O' Lover ( BJ Barham  song) Play Video
• Betting Man Play Video
• American Tobacco Company ( BJ Barham  song) Play Video
• Abe Lincoln ( The Backsliders  cover) Play Video
• I Hope He Breaks Your Heart Play Video
• Burn.Flicker.Die. Play Video
• When We Were Younger Men Play Video
• One Day at a Time Play Video
• End Over End Play Video
• Clark Ave. Play Video
• Rattlesnake Play Video

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For the past six years, American Aquarium has taken over Lincoln Theatre to showcase Raleigh’s vibrant music scene

January 20, 2020

When it comes to musical motifs, few are as long standing as that of the roots musician and their hometown. Whether it’s a deep-brooding disdain or a beaming sense of pride, songwriters and narrators seem inextricably tied to the place they’re from. Plenty of internationally acclaimed artists wear their North Carolina badge with pride, but few have gone to the lengths that BJ Barham and American Aquarium have to give back to those communities. For the past six years, American Aquarium has taken over Raleigh’s Lincoln Theatre on the last weekend of January to showcase the vibrant culture that has helped make Raleigh one of the fastest growing cities in the country. This year’s Roadtrip to Raleigh shows boast acts like Charley Crockett, Futurebirds, Mike & The Moonpies and Kelsey Waldon, but for many there’s no greater pull than the opportunity to see Barham on his home turf.

“Lincoln [Theater] is home court advantage for me,” Barham said. “It’s a place where I feel at home. I want that to translate to people. It’s not just seeing me in a sterile metal box, it’s a place where I’ve got 15 years of history — a place where I’ve opened up for some of my favorite bands of all time, where I started to build an audience in my hometown.” 

While American Aquarium cut their teeth in the dive bars and music halls of Raleigh, they never saw the same level of love in their home city that they did across the country. Since 2006, Barham and a rotating cast of musicians have been running national tours at least once a year, regularly racking up hundreds of shows annually. All of that legwork paid off, but for some reason it wasn’t fully translating to Raleigh, so when it came time to celebrate the release of their 2015 album Wolves , the idea of Roadtrip to Raleigh was born.

“We decided…we should invite ALL of our friends and fans to experience the city of Raleigh. Let’s showcase it, you know? Anyone who’s been here knows how great of a city it is, but a lot of people think it’s just an airport town connected to Durham and Chapel Hill,” said Barham. “We wanted to showcase the culinary scene, the bar scene, the fact that this is our Austin…a super creative, progressive center.”

Since the inaugural event, the mutual adoration between American Aquarium and the fellow creatives of Raleigh has only continued to blossom. BJ and crew create a list of recommendations for incoming fans, ranging from a cheap slice of pizza to dinner at the many James Beard Award-nominated restaurants. In return, fans have had opportunities for VIP dinners from Ashley Christensen, specially brewed beers for American Aquarium from Trophy Brewing, and much more. With an additional 1,500+ folks coming into town in what’s typically a slow season for the service industry and tourism, BJ and American Aquarium have started to develop a strong economic impact on the small businesses of Raleigh.

That’s what makes the Roadtrip to Raleigh shows so special; it feels like a buzzer-beating three pointer to win the game, and we’re all wrapped up in storming the court. Barham and company are in their element at these shows, leading 800 people from over 30 states and several countries in a massive sing-a-long from the opening note to the closing chords. While their two-night stay at the Lincoln has sold out both nights for several years in a row, there’s no plans to push this into the Live Nation-owned Ritz despite it boasting over double the capacity, because that’s just not what American Aquarium is about.

“This is about tipping the hat and saying ‘thanks for taking a chance on me’,” Barham said, “and if you haven’t seen us in front of this Lincoln crowd then you haven’t seen us. It’s every super fan from every city singing along to every word from every song…it’s deafening at some points. It’s just one big sing-a-long, and as an artist…what more could you want?”

Check out more info on American Aquarium’s Roadtrip to Raleigh shows on January 24 and 25 at Lincoln Theatre .

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Live + Video: American Aquarium Shows Off its Hometown at “Roadtrip to Raleigh”

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American Aquarium, T. Hardy Morris The Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh Friday, Feb. 5, 2016 Were it not for the T-shirts handed out to Krispy Kreme Challenge participants, “American Aquarium” would have been the most popular phrase sported on apparel in Raleigh during the first weekend of February. Legions of the alt-country outfit’s loyal followers descended upon downtown for the band’s two-night stand at the Lincoln Theatre. Never was that more evident, of course, than when the Raleigh group greeted a sold-out crowd of eight hundred fans on Saturday night. Each crowd member sang virtually every line of every song back to frontman B.J. Barham. It was only when the career-spanning set reached back to “Dandelions” and “Anne Marie”—from American Aquarium’s ten-year-old debut Antique Hearts —or when opener Jonathan Tyler joined the band onstage to cover Willis Alan Ramsey’s “Northeast Texas Women” that the throng of voices didn’t threaten to drown out Barham. According to American Aquarium, people representing thirty-four states and four countries were in attendance, figures confirmed by the roar of a response when Barham asked how many people in the audience had made the trip to Raleigh for the weekend. Still, the assembled felt more like a collection of the road warriors’ extended family, particularly when Barham paused just after midnight on Sunday, turning attention to the balcony as he led his crew in serenading his dad upon his sixty-first birthday. While the shows were the obvious highlight, the most impressive aspect of American Aquarium’s “Roadtrip to Raleigh” was that, for the second year, the band curated an experience for its fans, serving as ambassadors to the Oak City as much as any of those that patrol downtown in red shirts. An image titled “American Aquarium’s Guide to Raleigh” began circulating on social media Friday morning, serving as a map to the sextet’s favorite places to eat, drink, and hang, like Buku, lucettegrace, The Remedy Diner, and most of the Ashley Christensen empire. Throughout the weekend, dozens of tweets and Instagram photos included the tag #roadtriptoraleigh, while Barham and company’s Facebook timelines were flooded with check-ins and posts. Happy + Hale offered the American Aquarium Heartbeet Smoothie, while Busy Bee served up the American Aquarium Old North Stout (in conjunction with sister company Trophy Brewing0 and the Carolina Burger as weekend exclusives. Seatings the nightly pre-show dinners with the band at Christensen’s Joule sold out in minutes. Prominently namechecked in the chorus of “St. Mary’s,” Slim’s was an obvious beneficiary of the Roadtrip to Raleigh bump. “It was a big increase in our numbers over the weekend; a couple of thousand in sales at least,” says owner Van Alston . “We sell more T-shirts during Roadtrip weekend than even at Hopscotch.” Sure enough, Slim’s shirts were a hot seller during a secret midday acoustic performance by Barham on Saturday, in which he debuted his forthcoming solo record Rockingham in its entirety. The concept album centers on growing up in a tobacco town in rural North Carolina and finds Barham singing “bummers” about farming and a hardscrabble way of living. “The bar and the band have always been very tightly identified and intertwined,” Alston adds. “Everywhere I go in the US, I get stopped by American Aquarium fans if I’m wearing a Slim’s shirt.” That feverish following was again apparent after exiting Slim’s and entering daylight, where folks in American Aquarium shirts waited next door to dine at Chuck’s or Beasley’s or, further south on Wilmington, Cooper’s Barbecue. Sure, for locals, Roadtrip to Raleigh may have seemed like just another chance to catch one of the best rock bands in the Triangle. But for American Aquarium, the weekend was a loving showcase of the place it calls home. Check Dan Schram’s videos below from Friday night, including American Aquarium originals “Down Under” and “Lover Too Late,” along with a take on John Prine’s “Spanish Pipedream” and cuts from openers Timmy The Teeth and T. Hardy Morris. Timmy The Teeth, “Country State of Mind”

A music blog featuring Alt-Country, Americana, Indie, Rock, Folk & Blues. Est. 2005.

American Aquarium’s Road Trip to Raleigh.

Thursday, February 22, 2024 By Chip Frazier

One of the best experiences came on Saturday. Barham did a solo acoustic show. He has previously held this event at a coffee shop, but this year he went for a little bigger (not exactly big, it was a 150 people) venue at a local Gay/Queer bar, Ruby Deluxe. I had no idea of the surprise he had planned for the event. American Aquarium is soon releasing a new Shooter Jennings produced album. He played the album from beginning to end that morning. I’ll put it this way, I can’t wait until it comes out with full band in tow. The songs were as personal and deep as anything he has ever written. It is almost a certainty that the new album will be exceptional.

Each of the three nights American Aquarium did sets that were over two hours and as high energy as I have ever seen from the band. (I have seen them a lot.) Also, there were virtually no repeat songs. Yes, of course, “I hope He Breaks Your Heart” and “Burn, Flicker, Die” were played each night. The only other repeat I recall was “Katherine Belle” which was played on two nights. (There may have been others, but that is all I recall). “Katherine Belle” was the first song on the 2009 album “Dances for the Lonely”. On Thursday night to get things started, the band honored the 25th anniversary of the album by playing it from beginning to end. It is a classic album and was so cool to see them do it live. A few of the songs they were playing live for the first time in over a decade. It was all even better from there. It seemed is the band exuded more energy on each night. Why was this the case? It is a simple answer. B. J. Barham loves his fans, and that is the whole point of Road Trip to Raleigh.

The venue in Raleigh, Barham’s home base, was the Lincoln Theater, with capacity of less than 1000. That is why I am shocked he was able to get Charles Wesley Godwin to play. Godwin recently sold out two nights at the Ryman and is selling out big venues all over the country. No matter. His friendship with Barham lured him there, and he and his band’s killer set was fit for a stadium. This venue is not only too small for him, it is too small for American Aquarium. Barham’s goal is to create an intimate setting for the fans and the band. He no doubt succeeded. It was my first Road Trip to Raleigh. God willin’ and the creek don’t rise, it won’t be my last.

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American Aquarium Roadtrip to Raleigh VII: Preview

The annual pilgrimage of american aquarium fans returns this weekend, february 3-5..

Fans of North Carolina based American Aquarium have become familiar with the annual journey to the state’s capital (Raleigh, NC) and Lincoln Theatre, orchestrated by front man B.J. Barham . Over the years, inviting talented artists from other parts of the country and those right here in our own backyard, Barham consistently pieces together a solid lineup for the ‘ Roadtrip to Raleigh’ , now on its seventh rendition after missing last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Initially gaining notoriety around the Carolinas with a tireless touring schedule. Barham continues working hard to connect with fans and it’s this persistence that has expanded the fan base, leading to national tours with sell outs in tow. From humble beginnings the band now regularly visits Texas, Oklahoma, and has repeatedly played festivals like Mile 0 Fest in Key West (Florida), Music Fest in Steamboat (Colorado) and many others – but none compare to seeing Barham perform on his home turf.

In years past, fans have traveled from all over the United States and even the world to experience these unique sets of consecutive American Aquarium performances. Every year the lineup has been stacked as fans enjoy and discover other artists, all while having an opportunity to take in Barham’s hometown sights often referred to in his lyrics. Once in Raleigh you can, hear “the church bells ringing down at old St. Mary’s” and experience “landlocked nights down at Slim’s” all on your own.

As always, Barham has mapped out the cities finest restaurants, coffee shops and other entertaining establishments ( available here ), in addition to the return of ‘Tough Folks’ craft beer .

The full 2022 lineup features, Margo Cilker and Old 97’s on Thursday, Adeem the Artist and Aaron Lee Tasjan on Friday, and  John R. Miller  with  Zach Bryan on Saturday – all ahead of American Aquarium who close the show each night.

Margo Cilker (Thursday 2/3)

Old 97’s (Thursday 2/3)

Adeem the Artist (Friday 2/4)

Aaron Lee Tasjan (Friday 2/4)

John R. Miller (Saturday 2/5)

Zach Bryan (Saturday 2/5)

American Aquarium (Thursday 2/3, Friday 2/4, and Saturday 2/5)

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visitRaleigh insider

Raleigh-based american aquarium's new album, "lamentations," is their biggest hit yet.

Thursday, May 14, 2020, 2pm by David Menconi

Note: Authored by David Menconi, this piece has been produced in partnership with  Raleigh Arts .

The week after Raleigh, N.C., roots-rock band American Aquarium ’s new album “Lamentations” was released, frontman BJ Barham got a call from the group’s record label asking if he’d seen the latest Billboard charts. Barham said no and was told, “You’ll want to go check that out really quick.”

“It was a pretty crazy day,” Barham said with a laugh a day later. “Obviously it’s our biggest-selling record to date. We knew there was more buzz, just no idea just how much. It’s something you hope for as an artist, but wishing for something and having it come true are obviously two completely different things. We don’t put out records for the accolades, but it’s nice to get the pat on the back every now and then.”

The chart action takes some of the sting out of being marooned at home right now. The group’s last full-on shows were way back in Jan. at their annual “Road Trip to Raleigh” at Lincoln Theatre .

With a new album out, American Aquarium—one of the 21st century’s ultimate road-warrior acts, a band that has played up to 300 shows a year since 2005—would usually be burning up the road to play it live on stages from coast to coast.

But COVID-19 has shut down the live-concert business for the foreseeable future, which leaves Barham feeling a bit restless.

“Being off the road right now does feel weird,” Barham said. “The tour was supposed to start with what we hoped would be the No. 1 Americana album in the country. Getting that No. 1 was supposed to be the hard part, and planning the tour was the easy part. Well, it turns out we got the hard one while the thing that was always so easy to do is literally impossible right now. But I just hope this record has enough legs to where five months from now—or a year or whenever we’re allowed to go back out—people will still want to see and hear these songs and this band again. As I recall from Economics 101, demand goes up as supply goes down. So a year off as we’ve put out arguably the best album of our career should mean more people coming to see us, I hope.”

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Why the Future of Live Music is Still Bright in Raleigh, N.C.

If things are pretty upbeat in American Aquarium’s world right now, the ironic part is that it’s thanks in part to an undeniably dark record. Aptly titled, “Lamentations” is full of regrets, betraying a sense of shame in songs like “How Wicked I Was” and “The Day I Learned to Lie to You.” In contrast, Barham (who has been sober for years) leads a life of domestic contentment with a wife and young daughter.

“It’s about finding a small piece of myself in each character,” Barham says of the new album. “All 10 songs have their own specific characters, but you can also envision them all being about one character’s lamentations about things that broke him as a person. I write a lot about that guy I used to be and still sometimes see in the mirror, all the flaws and scars. The mirror can be a dark place. That kind of self-analysis has been the focus of the last couple of albums.”

To keep busy during this down-time, Barham has been playing online live-streams on Facebook and Instagram several times per week, with the obligatory Venmo tip jar. Proceeds are earmarked for his American Aquarium bandmates, so he can keep paying them even though they’re not playing.

Barham is also taking advantage of the extra time at home to write songs. He says he’s already pretty far along on another album’s worth of material and vows that the next record will come in less time than the two-year gap before “Lamentations.”

“Every writer says they want more time to just focus on the work, the art,” Barham says. “I’m curious to see how many will have taken that to heart and created something during all this. It’s actually been perfect for me. We already had this record in the can and about to come out, so no pressure. That let me explore things. I’ve done so much writing under pressure before, where studio time was booked when I still needed six more songs. It’s been nice to write for just me, not to impress bandmates or cut demos.”

You can purchase "Lamentations" on CD and vinyl—plus band merchandise—here . You can also stream on Spotify . 

Below, BJ Barham performs as part of Window Music, a webseries where musicians perform in front of its downtown Raleigh office windows. 

Header photo by Joshua Black Wilkins

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Author: David Menconi

2019 Piedmont Laureate David Menconi was music critic at The News & Observer in Raleigh for 28 years and has also written for publications including Billboard , Rolling Stone , The New York Times , SPIN , The Bluegrass Situation and No Depression . His fifth book, " Oh, Didn’t They Ramble: Rounder Records and the Transformation of American Roots Music ," was published in October 2023 by University of North Carolina Press.

David's photo by Teresa Moore

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