CONCERT REVIEW: MIHALI WITH THE ELOVATERS AT THE HAMPTON BEACH CASINO BALLROOM

Joanna Gleason
Jul 12
4 min read

On July 9, 2025, The Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom located at 169 Ocean Blvd Hampton, NH, welcomed The Elovaters with special guest Mihali. The sold out show was terrific, exceptional. Several thousands of fans attended the concert. Before the live show performance, people were loudly talking to each other, drinking, and walking around the arena. It was a great night of music.

At 8:00 p.m. Mihali and Mike Oehmen entered the stage. The duo was terrific. It was hard to believe the kind of performance that those two musicians have brought to the audience. The Vermont-based singer, songwriter, guitarist and co-founder of rock outfit Twiddle, Mihali, has once again proven that he is one of the strongest modern-day songwriters, guitarists, and performers to bring healing vibes and unforgettable songs to the world.

Mihali and Mike Oehmen were exceptional. Most of the songs performed by the duo during the night came from Mahali’s 3^rd studio record, Before The Dream released on May 2, 2025, via Ineffable Records, a 14-track journey that delves into his personal psyche and delivers messages about life and vibes meant for a day on the beach or a smoke sesh with friends.

Near Mihali, on stage, Oehmen was also terrific. A professional saxophonist based in Boston, MA, Mike Oehmen has been performing and recording for over 15 years. His work has spanned genres including Jazz, Funk, Rock’ n Roll, Hip Hop, and more. In addition to creating his own original music, he has also been active with many other bands and acts. Oehmen released his first solo album called “One of the Lucky Ones” on December 9, 2022. The album was recorded and mixed at Iron Wax Studios, Erving, MA.

9:30 p.m. The Elovaters as the headliner hit the stage. Formed in 2014 in Marshfield, Massachusetts, the band previously called The Cornerstone is now a 9-piece reggae rock band rising in the Boston concert scene.

At the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom in NH, the group performed with a list of talented musicians including:

Jackson Wetherbee – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
John Alves – lead guitar
Matt Link – bass
Nick Asta – drums
Derrick Cabral – percussion
Greg Nectow – keyboard

With his energy and his experimental and captivating voice, Jackson Wetherbee, the front man for The Elovaters, amazed thousands of fans of alternative and reggae music present at the concert. It was a world class performance with different songs selected from different albums.

The Elovaters released their debut album on January 20, 2017. The album was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Mike Caplan at the Lion and Fox Studios in Washington D.C. The Elovaters released their Double Vision EP on May 29, 2020; their second collaboration with producer Danny Kalb. The 5-song EP features: Brett Bollinger of Pepper, Giant Pandra Guerilla Dub Squad, Slighty Stoopid, among others. The EP was recorded at The Noise Floor in Dover, New Hampshire. In December 2020, Double Vision was voted "EP of the Year" by online reggae news Website, Reggae 360.

The band released an acoustic live album titled Live & Sugarshack Sessions on November 16, 2019; and a Dub album, Defy Dub on August 28, 2020. They also released a live stream and digital album Live from The Felton Music Hall on October 25, 2020. The album featured an hour and half live performance of songs from their previous albums and EP at the Felton Music Hall in Felton, California. The Elovaters released their third full-length album, Castles on August 13, 2021. It was produced by Johnny Cosmic and recorded at Stick Figure's Great Studios in Oakland, California. Jackson Wetherbee said [it's the] "most eclectic album we've ever done. I've brought in more singer/songwriter stuff. We weren't trying to reggae on this album.

In June 2023, The Elovaters announced their fourth Studio album, Endless Summer, which was released on July 28. The band was awarded "Best Reggae/Ska Artist of the year at the 2022 Boston Music Awards."

The Elovaters were featured as one of many reggae bands on Collie Buddz riddim album, Cali Roots Riddim 2020 with their single, "Sensimilla," which was produced by Collie Buddz and mixed by Stick Fugure's touring guitarist, producer Johnny Cosmic.

2018, The Elovaters won the annual Surf Roots TV & Radio fans-choice “Album of the Year” with their Defy Gravity album.

In August 2021, they were entered into the New England Music Awards. They were nominated for three categories: “Act of the Year”, “Live Act of the Year”, and “Roots Act of the Year”. The Elovaters won “Roots Act of the Year”.

Resuming the success of the group, Greg Nectow, the keyboardist, said during an interview: “To be successful at anything in this life, you have to be persistent and keep your head held high or elevated. Defying the odds and hailing from a spot largely considered NOT to be a 'Reggae Mecca', Boston's South Shore-based The Elovaters have bashed that stereotype.”

For their live performance at The Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, the atmosphere was electrifying and The Elovaters were terrific. It was so great to see so many people dancing on their feet.