A calendar such as C-Boy’s December run waits maybe all year for a month like this. Not because the South Congress speakeasy sister to the Continental Club doesn‘t curate modern roots year-round. Once the hustle & bustle of roadshows die down, locals finally reconnect with homegrown heavyweights including soul sovereigns Tomar & the FCs. Alt (and queer) icon Tina Schlieske the night prior to this two-night run and Strat champ Jimmie Vaughan on New Year’s bookend 2024’s exit here, but only Tomar Williams will evoke Otis Redding. Throaty grit from the frontman and brass-fed R&B from the FCs jolts particularly deep and pulpy during the holiday season. “Merry Christmas, Baby.” – Raoul Hernandez
