It’s always said that good things are worth the wait. However, there is always a fear that the anticipation may be greater than the actual event. What if I’m overhyping it? What if I’m let down? What if things go wrong and I waited for nothing? Fortunately, fans of Alabama Shakes who are attending the band’s first tour in eight years know that the joy that comes from seeing them live was, in fact, well worth the wait.
The band showed zero evidence of rust, despite an eight-year layoff. The core three members of Brittany Howard, Zac Cockrell, and Heath Fogg, along with their touring members, took the stage as if it had been part of their routine all along. Their sound poured out effortlessly, heart and soul in every note. If they had any nerves about performing on the stage together again, they masked it well. Howard and Fogg have dabbled with other projects, but this tour proves that the members function best as a cohesive group.
While Alabama Shakes has only released one new song since reuniting (though they have hinted at being in the studio), fans didn’t need new music to justify the price of a concert ticket. Jacobs Pavilion was packed from the floor to the rickety grandstands and the squeeze-in-tight bleacher benches. Opening with “Dunes” from their 2015 album, ‘Sound & Color,’ I immediately realized what a treat we were in for that night. Howard’s voice is unlike anything I have ever heard. The power and control she possesses, combined with the intense emotion behind every piece, are truly captivating. As the band went into “Hang Loose” and “I Ain’t the Same” from the 2012 album ‘Boys & Girls,’ it became apparent that the energy and strength she had was not just for the start of the show – she was going to be carrying that power the whole night.
The performance was equally a treat for the eyes as it was for the ears. The stage was covered in greenery from top to bottom, with fake leaves covering amps and platforms to fully immerse the stage in forest-like scenery. Howard stood under a glowing central spotlight, with her backing vocalists and band flanking her on risers on each side. The lights changed colors with each beat drop and heavy note change, and danced over members during their solo moments. While it looked stunning, it also served the purpose to highlight each member, reminding the audience that this band is, in fact, a unit; each piece working together to create a whole and heartfelt sound.
Fans found each song magical and were thrilled to hear tunes that they had been skeptical would ever surface live again. Of course, the collective favorites, “Hold On,“ had everyone swaying and grooving to Howard’s ethereal voice, and “This Feeling” left everyone silent, listening to the smooth vocals and soft guitar.
Alabama Shakes couldn’t close the night without including “Don’t Wanna Fight,” which featured Howard and the three backup vocalists belting their hearts out while perfectly blending their incredible talents together. The main part of the set closed with “Gimme All Your Love” as a final stretch to show the audience how good Howard is, as if they needed more convincing. Her ability to command a stage is effortless and graceful, yet powerful and inspiring. She is a genuinely unique frontwoman, and while her solo work is equally phenomenal, her on-stage presence with A.S. is genuinely unlike anything else.
Of course, to flex even further, they returned to the stage for a three-song encore. The night officially closed with “Always Alright” and the crowd erupted in cheers. It was clear that no one wants to wait another eight years for Alabama Shakes to return to the stage, and equally clear that the band does not want to wait that long, either.
As for me? I can’t wait for new music, new tours, and watching the future unfold for this talented bunch.
Sam Evian, a singer-songwriter from Brooklyn, took the stage with his band and enchanted the crowd with his unique voice and sound. His songs were upbeat and had a similar vibe to Alabama Shakes, with various levels of instrumentals being layered in from the band. He even gave his backup singer and guitarist, Hannah Cohen, who is a solo musician herself (and Evian’s romantic partner), a turn at the mic for one of her songs. If their love life is anything like their musical partnership, it’s a perfect blend that others envy.
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