Concert Review: Lotus at Soundcheck Studios

Joanna Gleason
Apr 13
2 min read

On April 9, 2026, several hundred fans gathered to welcome Lotus, the instrumental electronic jam band formed in Goshen, Indiana, in 1998 and now based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Denver, Colorado. The performance marked the first of two nights at Soundcheck Studios in Pembroke, Massachusetts, as the band continues to promote their latest album, Rise of the Anglerfish, released on February 13, 2026.

Drawing from genres such as psychedelic rock, krautrock, post-rock, disco, and funk, the four-piece band is known for its dynamic and immersive performances. Blending electronic dance music with the jam band tradition of improvisation, Lotus has spent more than two decades touring extensively across the United States, appearing at major festivals including Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, and Electric Forest.

The band’s sound spans a wide range of styles with improvisational influences reminiscent of Phish, The Allman Brothers Band, and The Grateful Dead. Bassist Jesse Miller once described their evolution, noting, “I truly believe Lotus’ sound comes from the roots of rock ‘n’ roll mixed with electronic beats that are popular today. It took a long time for us to finally find a sound we all agreed on—but we explored a lot before getting there.”

A staple in the U.S. jam band scene, Lotus has released 12 studio albums, including Germination (2003), Nomad (2004), The Strength of We… (2006), Hammerstrike (2008), Lotus (2011), Build (2013), Eat the Light (2016), Frames Per Second (2018), Free Swim (2020), and Citrus (2021).

Their 2024 release, How to Dream in Color, further highlights the band’s evolution. The 12-track album explores a diverse range of soundscapes and notably incorporates vocals—both traditional and electronically manipulated—adding new depth and texture to their music. With guest vocals, horns, violin, modular synths, and modern production techniques, the album creates a dreamlike, cohesive narrative despite its varied influences.

At Soundcheck Studios, Lotus—featuring Michael Greenfield (drums/percussion), Jesse Miller (bass/modular synth), Luke Miller (keyboards/guitar), and Tim Palmieri (guitar)—delivered an excellent performance, captivating the audience with their high-energy stage presence. Seamlessly transitioning from soaring guitar solos to intricate modular synth explorations, the band balanced tightly composed material with expansive improvisation. The packed venue buzzed with energy, and the crowd responded enthusiastically to every moment of Lotus’ standout performance.