Article Contributed by Shane McFarland
Published on 2026-03-11
Photos by: Tom Bush IV / @tb4concerts
On an uncharacteristically warm March weekend, LaMP, featuring Russ Lawton, Scott Metzger, and Ray Paczkowski, returned to Mr. Smalls Theatre on the outskirts of Pittsburgh, PA to deliver an engaging Sunday night performance that stylistically was as varied and dynamic as any concertgoer could have hoped for, wading through shades of jazz, funk, soul, blues, rock, Latin, and more.
I hate to call it the most casual/serious funk one could think of, but there is an effortless yet intensely focused quality to the trio’s playing that is simply awesome. Alongside longtime bandmates and collaborators Lawton and Paczkowski (Soule Monde and Trey Anastasio Band), guitarist Scott Metzger (Joe Russo’s Almost Dead and Wolf!) fits like a glove, able to crawl in and out of any groove that Lawton and Paczkowski could think of.
Taking no time at all to get into the swing of it, “Mimi Digs It” led off the night with Paczkowski laying down the groundwork to a serious groove, allowing Metzger to inject some wonderfully weird and frantic swells of sound. This would be a common theme throughout the night and runs through the vast majority of the group’s material. It’s a delightful push and pull LaMP has established, with keys, guitar, and drums working in tandem and even at times against each other — in the best way possible.
A quick jaunt through “Frenzy” transitioned to the delicate stylings of “Some Days” from the band’s self-titled debut album. A light and breezy composition, this was a perfect selection for what felt like a cool spring day in the Burgh.
Things picked up with the arrival of “Jasper’s World,” Metzger moving up and down the fretboard like only he can, Paczkowski not far behind with menacing and then uplifting chord changes. Melodic as you like.
One of my personal favorites, “Bernard,” followed — a dance-laden tune featuring Lawton doing the heavy lifting. The guy is one of the most graceful players behind a kit you’ll ever find. Never seeming to break a sweat, it’s always a treat to witness his musicianship on display. The composition weaves its way into a deeper, darker, heavier realm which, for any fan of TAB or JRAD, can be where some of the most delicious nuggets of musicality can be found.
The cavernous “Clipse-O” in the back section of the first set was another great example of the symbiotic relationship Lawton and Paczkowski share, one working off the other in perfect harmony. The closing moments of the first set featured Metzger stepping out a little more on “Pork ’N Slaw” as well as “Tango,” foreshadowing what was to come in the second stanza.
“Cosmo,” from 2025’s One Of Us record, led off the second set and set the mood with plenty of plinko-style guitar action from Metzger. Moving into the jazzier nodes of “Out Of Curiosity,” this composition is excellently contemplative and bright — a kaleidoscope of sound, if you will.
“Low Boy” was certainly one of the standout moments of the night, with Metzger laying on heavy licks. That seemed appropriate for what followed — a brief foray into Led Zeppelin’s “Heartbreaker” (can we talk about Bustle In Your Hedgerow more?), transitioning into “Nice Girl (Walks Loud),” arguably the heaviest tune from LaMP’s latest studio effort. It’s grimy, sludgy, and everything a funk enthusiast could hope for from a trio.
Just when you thought they had checked off all the genre boxes, “Jody Grind” showed up sounding like something you’d hear on a swinging, soulful Blue Note record from the late ’60s. It’s during these kinds of moments that one realizes how deep and eclectic the band’s influences truly are. They’re a Swiss Army knife kind of outfit.
After rattling off “Clipse Dog” and “One Of Us,” the triumvirate wrapped up their second set with “Elsie’s River,” dipping their toes again into Latin flavorings, complete with one more inspired drum solo from Lawton. Metzger and Paczkowski seemed just as impressed as the rest of the crowd, briefly retreating from their places on stage to take it all in.
If there’s one thing to be said about LaMP, it’s that they’re operating on a hive mind unlike many other trios out there. There’s a tightness and familiarity between them despite being a relatively fresh project.
The band continues their run through the Midwest and Northeast this winter. Don’t sleep on the opportunity to see them if you get the chance.
Upcoming Tour Dates
3/11 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom
3/13 – Indianapolis, IN – HI-FI
3/14 – Peoria, IL – Kenny’s Westside Pub
3/15 – Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon
3/18 – Minneapolis, MN – Icehouse
3/19 – Des Moines, IA – xBk
3/20 – Chicago, IL – Garcia’s
3/21 – Chicago, IL – Garcia’s
3/27 – Portland, ME – PHOME
3/28 – Portland, ME – PHOME
4/9 – Washington, DC – Pearl Street Warehouse
4/10 – Washington, DC – Pearl Street Warehouse
