Thursday, January 30, 2025
The Loft
$105K fundraised
Overall Winner: The Weight of Authority (King & Spalding) for Georgia Innocence Project
Hustle & Heart Award: Tremendous Machine (Secretariat), for Catalyst Sports
Judges’ Choice Award: Ghost Water (Campbell and Brannon), for City of Refuge
When we first came to Atlanta in 2019, we immediately knew it was a city we wanted to return to time and again. It took a few years and a rescheduled event due to Hurricane Helene for us to make our way back, but we finally made it and it was well worth the wait! The evening brought six bands featuring rock star legal professionals to the stage and raised over $105K to benefit deserving nonprofit organizations.
Ghost Water started the night off strong, opening with a hauntingly nostalgic rendition of the Foo Fighters’ “Times Like These”. They kept up the energy with a crowd-pleasing selection of early ‘90s ballads like “Alive” and “Enter Sandman”. They really turned up the energy with lead vocals, nailing the intro to their next notable cover of “Mr. Brightside”. Rounding out the set with a powerful performance of “Sweet Child of Mine” helped solidify why this band won the night as Judges’ Choice Award Winner.
Reigning champs The Weight of Authority bought home the overall win once again, with a dynamic setlist of power ballads that immediately won over the crowd. From Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” to Alanis Morisette’s “You Oughta Know” to a lively rendition of “Proud Mary”, this band had it all! They added in the razzle dazzle with costume changes, including Tina Turner fringe, sparkly dresses for the backup singers, and sunglasses and a shiny golden scarf in honor of Mick Jagger. The cheering at the end of their set made for one of the most unforgettable moments of the night!
Next up was a force to be reckoned with, Tremendous Machine. Though it was their first time on stage together, you wouldn’t have known it with how cohesive they were throughout the entire set. With a vibrant cover of “Learning to Fly” followed by crowd favorites “Wagon Wheel” and “Somebody like You”, they had the whole crowd singing along. They dedicated their next song, “Help” by The Beatles to Law Rocks founder Nick Child, a rendition that really brought out their bluegrass vibes and highlighted the incredible talent on stage. Such a diverse set and one the crowd couldn’t get enough of.
Fantomen was next to hit the stage, opening their set with an impressive cover of “Lawyers, Guns and Money”—a perfect way to kick things off. The lead singer instantly locked in the crowd from the start with anecdotes and jokes. Their set was a dynamic mix of classic rock anthems and modern alt-rock staples, seamlessly blending soulful moments like “Movin’ Out” by Billy Joel with high-energy songs like “Just What I Needed” by The Cars. “Go With the Flow” was a standout, showcasing powerful lead vocals, electric guitar riffs, and a spot-on drummer, driving the intensity. They ended the set with a hard-hitting cover of “Everlong” with the crowd cheering and singing along.
Playing original songs to a new fan-base is a risky move, but Several Dudes rose to the occasion. The crowd rushed the stage as they opened with, “Tasty”, showcasing a funky bass line and memorable sax solos. The dancing and grooving continued as the crowd enjoyed awe-inspiring guitar solos and perfectly balanced vocals. Every song was a delight, but it was “Book of Dude” that seemed to be the crowd favorite. The band was formed when the members were all in law school and their camaraderie was evident. A tight set delivered from tight friends.
Random Baldwin put the Rock in Law Rocks closing out the night with a powerhouse mix of ‘90s alternative rock and grunge anthems. Though it was late, the crowd was wide awake and jumping as they sang along to “Basket Case” by Green Day. With perfect instrumentals, explosive drumming and gritty vocals, they rocked effortlessly through songs by Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots while also delivering the fun and nostalgia with “Hey Jealousy” by The Gin Blossoms. The perfect ending for any ‘90s rock fan, not to mention a great end to the night.
Law Rocks wouldn't exist without the support of all the bands and firms - major thanks to every participating band! Thanks also to The Loft team; the Rock Panel of Judges: Heather Beverly, D’Laney Bowry, Guitar Gabby, and Philip Ordonez; our host Julie Smith; and our nonprofit guests. None of this would be possible without our sponsors: Drew Eckl Farnham; Secretariat; Aderant; Alison Wealth Management; Darby Studio; Consilio; and King & Spalding. We are incredibly grateful for your support!
Thanks for having us, Atlanta. We look forward to our next return!
Please consider making a contribution to support Law Rocks World Tour and ensure we keep rocking the globe for years to come!
Law Rocks' Music Matters grant is an extension of our mission to promote music education for underserved youth - and support the next generation of rock stars! We are excited to announce our 2024 Atlanta recipient of the Music Matters grant: Atlanta Music Project!
Read our Nonprofit Spotlight on AMP to find out more about the organization.
Photo by Zachary Toth Photography | courtesy of AMP
We are proud that Law Rocks Atlanta 2024 bands raised funds for the following organizations.
Coming soon…