Shadow People flock to Atlanta’s Psychedelic Swamp

The line down Roswell Road was a confusing site for Atlanta drivers. Hippies, hipsters and everything in between stood on the sidewalk waiting for the doors to open. A sold out show packed the venue, leaving little room for the dancing that was definitely about to ensue.

Promoting their ninth studio album, “Psychedelic Swamp,” released Feb. 5, 2016, Dr. Dog brought their neo-psychedelic rock to the Buckhead Theatre for hippies young and old.

Opening for Dr. Dog was indie pop/folk band Wild Child. Led by the comforting voice of lead singer and violinist Kelsey Wilson, this Texas band featured a ukulele, trumpet, cello and Following the 2015 release of their third album, “Fools,” Wild Child’s whimsical charm shined as they played new songs as well as their fan favorite, and questionably biggest hit, “Silly Things.”

At 9:45 the lights dimmed and the drum set began to glow. One by one, Dr. Dog took the stage playing three consecutive tracks from their new release, “Holes in My Back,” “Fire on My Back,” and “Bring My Baby Back.”

Nothing could bring these six guys down; they jammed back and forth across the stage, bassist and singer Toby Leaman’s hat constantly being thrown off from his constant dancing. Lead guitarist Scott McKinnon and guitarist Frank McElroy kept their shades on the whole time to block out the blinding glow off the disco ball above them.

After 17 songs, the band closed with a single from their 2010 “Shame, Shame” album, “Shadow People.” With their appetite not quite whet, the audience cheered for more. The band walked back out to play four more songs, finishing the set with “The Way the Lazy Do” from their fourth album “We All Belong.”

The audience filed out, minds expanded and then blown. The murky waters of the swamp were truly an experience to swim through; the reward, however, was beyond worth it: the constant sweet tunes of Dr. Dog playing through hypnotized minds for the next few days.

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