Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas’ dark, soulful music kept fans on their feet late into Saturday night.

The musicians performed 9 p.m. at The House Cafe, 263 E. Lincoln Highway. Punk band Jadam James and the Multifelons kicked off the show with some in-your-face tunes.

Although this opener created a high-energy atmosphere, the blasting sound didn’t seem to flow well with the small venue. The band’s ear-piercing guitar volume hurt my ability to understand the vocalist. It almost felt like a competition between the band members to see who could play the loudest.

After the opener, Detroit rock/gothic pop band Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas contributed to the crowd’s already high energy by beginning with an upbeat song.

The group creatively blends Hernandez’s soulful voice with horn instruments like trombone and saxophone.

“I think it’s not about the instrument but how you use it,” Hernandez said. “And I think that if you don’t know how to write for sax it can get really cheesy … . For me, it’s been like more of experimenting with instruments that aren’t as common in rock music.”

The band kept a solid balance throughout the performance, making the vibes that much better. Unlike some concerts in the past, nearly all of the 40-plus attendees stayed throughout the entire show. The House Cafe’s new liquor license could be a factor why locals stayed instead of walking down to surrounding bars.

Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas released its first full-length album, “Secret Evil,” Tuesday. If you missed the band Saturday at the House, keep an eye out for its performance Sept. 13 at Riot Fest in Chicago.