When you build anticipation for something, there is the potential for a major letdown. Reunion tours, though often the most in-demand shows, can prove to be the most nerve-racking for an artist. Though Alabama Shakes hasn’t been dormant for quite as long as most bands venturing out on a reunion trek, eight years is still a long time to be without your favorite band. The fervent fans at the trio’s Nashville tour stop on July 25, 2025, can attest to that. Though there is a potential for nerves in a tour like this, Brittany Howard, Heath Fogg, and Zac Cockrell didn’t let on if there was any. Their sound and seamless collaboration on stage proved that, though they’ve been away for nearly a decade, raw talent never falters.
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Howard’s vocals are undisputedly some of the best in modern music. Watching her is akin to what it must have been like to see Aretha Franklin in her prime. Utter disbelief and unstoppable emotions ensued. Her self-proclaimed “hometown show” (though originally from Athens, Alabama) saw Howard visibly excited by her family members in the audience and downtown Nashville surroundings. The venue, Ascend Amphitheater, offers views that never fail to heighten the experience of attending a show there. It was a show that wasn’t hurting for atmosphere, that’s for sure.
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While it’s easy to focus on the in-your-face talents of Howard, we can’t forget to give props to Fogg and Cockrell. The band’s heavily lauded catalog wasn’t a sole effort; each member lent their keen songwriting abilities to what is now considered one of the greatest two-album runs in history. Their live show is much the same. I’ve seen many shows, but few have been as pitch-perfect as this one. If it weren’t for the fans singing along, what you hear on stage isn’t that different from what you get in the studio from Alabama Shakes. Whether that’s a testament to their polished performance or palpable songwriting, it’s certainly evidence of their unparalleled artistry. They may have left a gap in the southern rock scene for a while, but there’s a reason they were able to slide right back in when the time came. They left their space up for the taking; there just wasn’t anyone strong enough to claim it.
The Nashville show was just one of many stops Alabama Shakes, who have teased new music in the works, are making this year. Find their full list of 2025 tour dates, HERE.
(Photo by David A. Smith/Getty Images)
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