Review and photographs provided by Scott Kepnes.
Galactic, featuring Jelly Joseph, brought the Funk to Lowell, Massachusetts on July 11, 2025. The concert was part of the Lowell Summer Music Series at Boarding House Park. The New Orleans based Galactic band members are vocalist Angelika “Jelly” Joseph, guitarist Jeff Raines, bassist Robert Mercurio, drummer Stanton Moore, Hammond organ Richard Vogel, trumpet Eric Gordon, saxophone and harmonica Ben Ellman.
Galactic treated a welcoming and appreciative audience with selections from their three decades of music. With Jelly Joseph on vocals, the bands jazz—funk—rock—grooves electrified the crowd. They opened the set with “You Don’t Know” from the album Ya-Ka-May (2010). followed by “Clap Your Hands” from Already Ready Already (2019). Galactic showcased “People”, “Lady Liberty” and “Where I belong”. Further into the set, the band played “Church” from their first studio album Coolin’ Off (1996). The band rocked a Led Zeppelin Cover, “How Many More Times”, and played a tribute to Dr. John with a cover of “Qualified” to wrap up the set. A two-song encore finished the evening. The high energy, fan favorite, “Dolla Diva” followed by Jelly’s own funky, rap-infused single “Fya”. Jelly Joseph’s charismatic stage presence, soulful vocals and connection with the crowd kept the audience captivated from start to finish.
Special Guests Brian Thomas and the BT All-Stars warmed up the crowd playing a set to begin the evening.
SETLIST
You Don’t Know
Clap Your Hands
Making it Better
Cineramascope
Something’s Wrong with this Picture
People
Lady Liberty
Balkan Wedding
Where I Belong
Making Cents
Bring it on Home
Church
Right On
How Many More Times (Led Zeppelin cover)
Qualified (Dr. John cover)
Encore:
Dolla Diva
FYA
Brian Thomas and the BT Allstars delivered a high energy set of jazz-funk which more than warmed up the crowd for Galactic. The lineup featured trombonist Brian Thomas, baritone saxophonist Jared Sims, organist Ken Clark, guitarist Steve Fell and drums Dean Johnston. The five-song set included, “Check Your Intentions”, “Lonnie & Ronnie”, “Orange Tape”, “On the Bone” and “Just a Glimpse”.
KEEPING UP WITH GALACTIC
Galactic featuring Jelly Joseph perform at Fuji Rock Festival, Naeba Ski Resort, in Niigata Prefecture, Japan, July 27, 2025. Their U.S. tour will resume in Atlantic City, NJ at Kennedy Plaza, on August 6, 2025. The band will continue the tour through summer and fall, with stops including Great Barrington, MA, Rochester, NY and Memphis, TN. Galactic will be on “Jam-Cruise”, February 7-12, 2026, w/ The Disco Biscuits, Medeski Martin & Wood, The Wood Brothers, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Lettuce, Lotus and more. For all of Galactic’s tour dates and ticket information visit the links provided below!
GALACTIC – WEBSITE – FACEBOOK – INSTAGRAM – X – YOUTUBE – SPOTIFY – APPLE MUSIC
JELLY JOSEPH – FACEBOOK – INSTAGRAM
BRIAN THOMAS AND THE BT ALLSTARS – WEBSITE – INSTAGRAM – FACEBOOK – YOUTUBE – SPOTIFY
SCOTT KEPNES – WEBSITE – INSTAGRAM
LOWELL SUMMER MUSIC SERIES – WEBSITE – FACEBOOK – YOUTUBE – INSTAGRAM – X
DANCE YOUR FACE OFF – WEBSITE – INSTAGRAM – FACEBOOK – X – YOUTUBE