The Suffers, featuring front-woman Kam Franklin.

With its buttery horn arrangements, funky guitar riffs, and vocal prowess, the Texas-based group opens Diana Wortham Theatre’s 2017/2018 Mainstage Series with an evening of steamrolling soul.

Of the band’s music, coined “Gulf Coast Soul,” National Public Radio’s Tiny Desk Concert host Bob Boilen said, “It’s a perfect mix of power and delicacy, as the band held back at moments, only to steamroll me when my guard was down.” Shooting beyond the notion of soul revival, this outfit packs each position of the rhythm and horn section with talent and taste, providing the perfect foundation for front-woman Kam Franklin.

This year the band embarks on its first international tour to spread the sweet sound of Gulf Coast Soul across the Caribbean, Western Europe, and Australia. The Suffers progressed quickly from packing Houston venues to accepting invitations nationwide to perform at notable festivals and venues, all while remaining a Houston favorite, receiving 23 Houston Press Music Awards in the last four years. In 2015, the band received ten distinctive recognitions from “Best Live Act” and “Best Soul/Funk/R&B Act” to a number of individual awards including “Best Songwriter,” “Best Female Vocals,” “Best Drummer,” “Best Keyboards,” and “Best Horn.”

Established in Houston in 2011, The Suffers’ lineup was curated by bassist Adam Castaneda and vocalist/keyboardist Pat Kelly. With Jon Durbin on trumpet, Michael Razo on trombone, Kevin Bernier on guitar, Jose “Chapy” Luna on percussion, and Nick Zamora on drums (plus vocals), the group boasts a powerful rhythm section that supports Kam Franklin’s soaring vocals.

The Suffers concert takes place Friday, September 22, 2017 at 8 p.m. at the Diana Wortham Theatre, 2 South Pack Square, downtown Asheville. Call (828) 210-9837, or visit www.dwtheatre.com.