Brother Thunder - Staring Into The Sun Album Release Show Review

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Friday’s show at RichesArt Gallery was more than just a concert. It was an atmosphere. The venue itself set the tone: walls covered in bold, expressive art, funky and fashionable clothing for sale next door, and an upstairs arcade that buzzed with neon energy. It felt like stepping into a curated slice of Austin’s soul, and the lineup only pushed that energy further.

The Ransom Brothers opened the night with their signature "y’allternative" sound, a dusty blend of Western grit and psychedelic edge. Their set was both grounded and trippy, a perfect first step into the night’s layered mood.

Lew Apollo followed with something slower and moodier. Their set leaned into soulful, bluesy tones that created space to breathe and sway. The standout of the group was the female vocalist, Jasmine Lavonne, whose solos stopped the room in its tracks. Her voice was powerful and emotionally sharp, cutting through the haze with ease.

Then came Brother Thunder.

From the moment they hit the stage, it was clear they were in their element. Brother Thunder, whose lineup consists of Keith Sanders, Chris Peña, Angelo Dulang, Jacob Rapp, Justin Malone, and John Cherry, had a funk that was thick, sensual and built to move bodies. The set felt alive, fueled by a rotating group of guest musicians composed of Madeline Magnon, Markieth Bolen, Justin Langston, and Lew Apollo's Lavonne, who all added their own horns, keys and layers of rhythm that made the walls pulse. Still, the center of it all was frontman Sanders.

Sanders is a rare kind of performer: charismatic, in control and vocally dynamic. He didn’t just sing. He conducted the room with every glance and gesture, knowing exactly when to turn the volume up or pull everyone into a groove. He moved like the stage belonged to him his entire life and the crowd followed his lead without question.

The band played the entirety of their new album Staring Into The Sun, which is also available on vinyl. The night showcased the talent of every musician and vocalist on stage along with the stories of what brought everyone together to form what the world knows as Brother Thunder.

As the set closed out and the crowd spilled into the arcade-lit stairwell, it was clear the night had been more than a show. RichesArt Gallery provided the perfect backdrop for a performance that was equal parts concert, community and electric funk ritual.