Alabama Shakes reunite for first time since 2017
Alabama Shakes performed together for the first time in seven years on December 18th at a benefit concert in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
The reunion took place at the Tuscaloosa Get Up 3 benefit concert which was held at the Bama Theatre. The bill originally listed Alabama Shakes singer Brittany Howard, who was set to perform a solo set, but was instead joined by her old bandmates Zac Cockrell, Heath Fogg, and Ben Tanner for a nine-song set.
Alabama Shakes were joined at the charity concert by Mike Cooley from Drive-By Truckers and Lee Bains of Lee Bains III and the Glory Fires, who took to the stage earlier in the evening.
During their performance, Howard led Alabama Shakes through a journey down memory lane, performing beloved classics such as ‘Hang Loose’ and ‘Hold On‘. Their set also featured ‘Always Alright’, ‘I Ain’t The Same’, ‘This Feeling’, and ‘Gimme All Your Love’.
Since Alabama Shakes went their separate ways, Howard has embarked upon a successful solo career. Her debut album, 2019’s Jaime, was nominated for seven Grammy Awards, including ‘Best Rock Song’ which she won for ‘Stay High’.
Howard’s most recent album, What Now, was released earlier this year. In a review, Far Out wrote of the record: “What Now is a record that only a five-time Grammy award winner could make. Full of supreme confidence but delivered with a panache that few can pull off without feeling contrived. Howard allows herself to let loose, she tightens up when needed and even provides the odd moment of genuine, tear-jerking pain along the way.”
As Howard has now concluded touring What Now, her schedule would allow for an Alabama Shakes reunion tour, but nothing has been confirmed at this stage.
However, in May, she did leave the door open for the band to return, telling Entertainment Weekly: “As far as what happens in the future, I just follow the curiosity. I feel like if there’s a beat there and the creativity’s calling me there, then that’s something that we’ll have a conversation about, me and the guys. I wouldn’t say the door’s completely closed.”
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