14 Bands, Largest collection of craft beers, & 1 big Xmas party!
Brickhaus Brewtique, Meridian, Mississippi, December 20, 2025
So, after my promised movie date with my daughter to see the new Avatar Fire and Ash (which is awesome by the way), I hit the road south for Meridian for the Illuminate Mississippi Christmas Party at Brickhaus Brewtique. The 2 and a half hour drive was pretty uneventful other than pushing my gas tank limit as far as I could.
Shoutout: Illuminate Mississippi
First off, I want to thank Illuminate Mississippi for what they are doing down in the southern part of the state. Andrea Garrett and her staff are staying so busy booking, creating, and presenting some great events that showcase not only local talent, but any other Mississippi talent too.
Shout Out: Brickhaus Brewtique
I also want to give a shout out to Brickhaus Brewtique for hosting the event at such a great little spot, best place for bands to be heard and seen in Meridian. Owner, Billy is a fantastic host and one super cool dude to chat with… and yes, the amount of beer in that building feels medically significant.
Apologies for the Early Sets I missed, and still want to give love to
I want to apologize to the first few bands because I couldn’t be there for their performances. That’s the price of that two-and-a-half-hour stretch of road.
With that being said, you can go to Illuminate Mississippi Facebook and see a few videos of those artists. Video credits to Andrea Garrett | Illuminate Mississippi.
Here are the ones I missed but caught through the videos and the buzz.
Concrete Waterslide
Al Brown
All great artists from the videos I have seen on Facebook.
And that right there is the part people forget about these big bills. It’s not only who closes. It’s who shows up early and plays like it matters. Those early sets are the foundation. If the first hours are strong, the whole day stands taller.
Now for the Ones I Was Able to Catch
Crusin 8th
First up is Crusin 8th, these guys brought the energy and fun with their set.
They covered all the great hits from back in the crusin’ days from John Mellencamp’s “Pink Houses” to “Take it easy” by The Eagles. And they did it the way those songs are supposed to feel. Not like a museum. More like a porch light that’s been on for decades. Familiar and warm and a little rowdy in the best way.
They got the party started for sure. Arlon Gibson and the guys form one of the most solid units performing in the Meridian area. Check them out if you get a chance.
Leather Rose
Next is the band I am a little bias toward, Leather Rose made the trip to entertain a brand new crowd, and gain a few new followers as well!
Was great to finally get to perform for Andrea Garrett first hand, still owe her the full on Leather Rose show! Their set basically covered their new EP Live from the Lucky Tap with the inclusion of “Faith and Fear.”
That set felt like a band doing the smart thing at a stacked event. You don’t overthink it. You don’t waste time trying to be mysterious. You bring the strongest version of what you do and let the room decide. The crowd was paying attention, and that is always the first win.
The J. McCart Band
The J. McCart Band was next with a great set of originals, as well as a few covers. Great set period!
Jay McCart is a phenomenal musician and performer! He wields his guitar like a classic pro from the Seventies era!! The entire band forms a well oiled music making machine.
You could feel how seasoned they are, not only in the playing, but in how they move from song to song without losing the room. That matters when you’ve got a crowd that’s been listening all day. A band like this doesn’t ask for attention. They take it politely, then keep it.
They have opened for several big names such as Charlie Daniels Band, Exile, and John Anderson to name a few! Check them out, you won’t be disappointed! If you get a chance DO NOT PASS THEM UP!!
Red Light Vendetta
Next was one of my favorites of the night, Red Light Vendetta, my first time seeing these guys, but they really put on a show during their slot.
Great vocals by Triston Adcox, one of the best singers of the entire event. They played a great set of originals including “Smile,” a really cool Christmas song where they all wore lights! That moment hit hard in the best way. It had the fun of the season without turning into a joke. Definitely will be following them and hope to see them again!
Drake Plankers & the 2X4’s
Then Drake Plankers & the 2x4’s brought a unique set with Drake dressed as Luigi from Mario land.
But their set was nothing but wall to wall energy that reminded me a lot of early limp biscuit sound. Luigi even acted like he was attacked by turtles with his floor spinning guitar antics! It was chaos with a grin on it, and the crowd reacted like they needed that jolt right then.
Very talented band!
The two top bands of the night
The Whispering Trees
Next up we have one of the two top bands of the night.
I first saw The Whispering Trees earlier this year at the Birthday bash at Black Axes Throwing Club, and to say they have gotten better is a understatement!
Led by Naomi Raines(Taylor) on vocals, Joey Raines on guitar, Brad Chevalier on muscle guitar, David Harwell on bass and Robert Hansford on drums, this is an incredible band of musicians.
The songs, their stage presence, the way they just flow right through a great set of original songs. They have a glowing charisma about them, very entertaining! It wasn’t only tight. It was alive. It felt like the whole band was breathing together, like they were pulling the crowd along without dragging anyone.
I highly recommend checking them out on their website.
CookieWu
Now for the headliners I give you CookieWu!!
Fantastic band from Meridian, now relocated to Hattiesburg. Another band I saw earlier this year at the Birthday bash, and once again, they have improved so much!
Lillie Rhoden and her brother Matthew have formed one heck of a family band! Some of the best songs and lyrics of the night! Loved that they were all dressed to pay homage to the grinch, as well as their powerful sound.
And Lillie just has a stage presence. Seems like she goes into her personal place and delivers such a powerful performance each time the band takes the stage!
Raidan Gable on bass is just the right groove and along with Rhys Korbin covering the skins, these two lay down the beat and Matthew throws some great guitar work on top!
Keep your eyes on them, they are making moves!
Afterglow
So that brings me to the end of another amazing event put on, created and booked by Illuminate Mississippi.
Again give them a once over. They have a great thing started here in Mississippi, working to build the biggest music community and network across the state.
Also, none of this would be possible here if not for the hard work and determination of a lady who loves her music and the people that perform, write, run a venue, etc.
Andrea Garrett, thank you for all that you do for music in Mississippi!
The buzz was loud and clear after the final notes rang out. Not everyone made it to the end. I mean 14 bands and artists in one day is a lot!
But the crowd was into each and every band that performed while I was there, and everyone was super nice, reaching out to each other and saying how much they enjoyed each others set. Lot of love and support between the bands and the ones in attendance.
I actually left early myself for the 2 plus hour drive home, that was the usual late deer dodging contest here in Mississippi!
Until the next one! See ya soon and always let the music do the talking!
Thanks Guys n gals!