Alabama Shakes

The best concert I have seen in a very very long time. It was so much more than I ever imagined. Brittany Howard is the early 21st century's Billie Holiday. She has an incredible driving intensity to her performance and swooping versatility vocally, on the guitar and in her stage presence. Her whole soul is on display for all of us to bathe in. For the first 15 minutes, inexplicably, I was on the verge of tears. I think it was the sheer emotional well that opened up the moment the first chords tumbled off her guitar.

The rest of the band were superb as well - incredibly tight. The songs all seemed way to short and ended sharply. The incredible way that the Sound & Color album stretches and twists the essence of R&B into many varied dark and light corners of musicology of the past 5 decades is entrancing enough when listening at home - live it is unbelievably engaging.

The audience was on their feet from the beginning and never sat down - very pause in every song was bathed in applause, whistles and cheers and at the end of the penultimate song the crescendo of sound just grew and grew for what seemed like at least 5 minutes before the Shakes launched into the final number....Over My Head. Brilliant!

Alabama Shakes, the Alabama rock band who formed in 2009 have made huge global waves when their debut album charted in within the top 10 on both the UK and US albums chart. The soulful, blues rock vibes were championed by a number of British publications including NME and Q Magazine and their reputation simply flourished.

The live show has also quickly become something of a cult phenomena as the powerful vocals of lead singer Brittany Howard reside over the stage. The female vocalist is not only a talented singer, her complex guitar solos keeps the crowd cheering and clapping along.

The quartet allows their music to take centre stage as they hold complex jam sessions during 'Hang Loose' and 'Always Alright'. Huge cheers lift the roof for early breakthrough single 'Hold On' as the band play an extended version with huge instrumental bridges. Masters of their music, you get the impression the band would have jammed all night to suggestions thrown in by the crowd yet when they do eventually leave the audience no longer have to question why their reputation is so prolific.

I have seen the group Alabama Shakes perform many times and all I can say is that it gets better and better each time. The latest show was absolutely mind blowing and simply fantastic to be a part of the crowd watching them live on stage.

Brittany Howard, who is the group's lead and guitarist, has one of the most powerful voices I have heard in a long time and her guitar solos are freaking awesome. Everyone had such a good time that you will find yourself singing and dancing from the beginning of the show, right up until the end. Most of their venues are very accommodating and the stage is just the group and their instruments, not much else going on the stage like you see at other shows and artists.

What I like about them is that they give their all into every single performance, no holding back and this is what the fans enjoy seeing. Their sound is mostly Blues and Southern Rock that is delivered beautifully by this group especially Brittany.

If ever they are performing, I make it a must to go see them because I know I am sure to have a blast.

After having their first album on heavy rotation for 3 years I was anticipating their new release, Sound and Color. When a concert was announced at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley I couldn't order tickets fast enough. Kudos to their booking agent for sandwiching this performance between their two weekend Coachella shows. The band was tight, the crowd enthusiastic and Brittany's voice, absolutely fantastic. She thanked the crowd for "allowing us to play some new stuff" and they didn't disappoint. The new material is influenced by everything from Led Zepplin to Prince to Sly and the Family Stone to The Ramones and the new arrangements of the previous material was fantastic. When Brittany puts down her guitar and fronts the band just as a vocalistit she utilizes her 3 backup singers and draws heavily on blues and R&B.
This was an excellent show and now that I have had time with the new material I will be anticipating their next stop in the Bay Area,

The Venue:
I'd never been to the Berkeley Greek before. I'm not sure if all/most shows are general admission but if they are, I advise arriving early (an hour or so). There are several food/beer stands in the venue and their menu looks great! Not your standard burger/hot dog stadium menu, either. Check their website. On our next concert here, we're eating inside, not before arriving. We'd arrived just on time and got seats in the grass. The pitch/angle of the lawn is a tad steep and we weren't able to get too comfortable which is another reason to arrive early: to get into the stands.

The Band:
Both Kurt Vile and Alabama Shakes put on great sets. The stage design was beautiful. Every song I wanted to hear, they played. Everything I expected from the show I got. There is so much power and soul in Alabama Shakes' music, you will have no choice but to be elated.

Surprisingly disappointing. On the bright side, Alabama Shakes gathers a very competent group musicians, specially a larger than life lead singer, owner of a beyond-this-world soulful voice and explosive energy. Unfortunately, the band made zero attempts to interact with the public. Brittany Howard spoke as little as possible and all other 8 band member failed to smile or even glance at the audience even once (!) during the entire time they were on stage. It's less troubling to listen to their album at home than to pay and stand on your feet to feel like they the performers would prefer to be on their own couch than to be bother with performing gigs around the world.

A badass concert. Because it was at the Fox there wasn't much energy from the crowd, but that is only because of the venue. Father John Misty had an opening act that was a little long for my taste, but his last song was a gem. When Britney and the gang stepped on stage and started grooving to Dunes, my attention was so focused yet relaxed. It was a great feeling that lasted the whole show. Alabama Shakes have mastered their sound and when you really focus on what they're doing it is uplifting and makes you feel as if you're part of the music and lyrics as Britney howls them. Great show from a great band that will be around a while.

What an amazing night! Brittany's voice is like no other. I thoroughly enjoyed this show and am glad I was able to catch it. The talent everyone in the group possess (from lead vocals, guitar, keyboard, etc.) is incredible. My only negative comment would be the fact that they didn't have screens or a camera on the stage, so unless you were in the first few rows (inside this large tennis arena/amphitheater) you weren't going to see very closely on stage. I would have liked to have seen Brittany's face to connect with her more since her voice was already dragging me in. One of my favorite bands and they did not disappoint.

Been waiting for them to make a show in the UK after I got into Boys & Girls when a friend recommended it.
They were well worth the wait - they are obviously the group where it all seems to click for me. Brittany's vocals and driving emotions are just stunning, ranking this concert straight into my top three.
They played a lot of new stuff which I assume is going to be on the new album, and if that is so it will be as good if not better than their debut.
A great venue too - nice and small with a standing capacity of 600.
All in all a great night - if you get the chance go and see them!

They came. They played new material. They conquered. Only 4 or so songs from "Boys And Girls" made the set list; the rest were all from their upcoming new album. The band was tight as usual, and what can you say about Brittany Howard's stop you in your tracks, give you goosebumps voice and emotionally raw, formidable performances that hasn't already been said? She and the band are refreshingly jubilant doing what they do, and as long as they love it I suspect I will too...