Friday night in Neenah had that “something’s happening” feeling. I saw that Kate Stenson was performing live at XE 54 Wine Bar, and her description caught my eye—a violinist and looping artist. That sounded too interesting to miss, so I grabbed my camera and headed out.

I’m glad I did. From the first note, Kate had everyone’s attention. She creates her songs live on stage—playing violin riffs, recording them, adding layers of voice and sound, and looping it all together into full, rich tracks. Watching her stack each layer in real time is like watching a musical puzzle being solved right in front of you.

She has a strong, soulful voice that fit beautifully with her creative looping style. The whole performance was alive and spontaneous—part concert, part experiment, and all talent. At one point, she built a whole rhythm section out of just violin taps and her voice. The crowd was grinning, loving every second.

XE 54 Wine Bar provided the perfect laid-back setting. Smooth lighting, good wine, and a relaxed crowd made it easy to lean back and just enjoy. It was a little dark for filming, but I worked with what I had. Even in the shadows, the vibe came through great.

If you haven’t seen Kate Stenson perform, check her out at katestensonmusic.com. She’s a Wisconsin-based artist mixing classical roots with innovative looping that’s refreshing to watch live. And if you’re looking for things to do in Neenah or want to catch some great local music, XE Wine Bar deserves a spot on your weekend list.

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