It’s easy to see why the Hollywood Bowl keeps being named one of the best outdoor venues in Los Angeles. The distinctive bandshell, built into a natural depression in the Hollywood Hills, is not only the stuff of Hollywood legend and lore, but music’s as well. Every musician name checks it as a dream venue to play at. Last Thursday, it was Alabama Shakes, the trio comprising lead singer and guitarist Brittany Howard, guitarist Heath Fogg, and bassist Zac Cockrell’s turn to add to the musically sonic energy, along with vibey openers Shannon and the Clams.
After a seven-year hiatus (which included a very successful turn for lead vocalist Brittany Howard), Alabama Shakes first marked their return to music by playing a small show back in December of last year in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Before that, they announced they were doing a larger Summer tour and working on new music. One of those stops would be at the legendary Hollywood Bowl.
While it might sound trite to say this is one of the best concerts I have seen, the band was on and firing on all cylinders, playing with a passion and love for the music. That was something I noticed immediately as an audience member and felt. It was also evident when you hear Brittany Howard sing. She draws upon every color and tone in her voice, and she leaves it all on the stage.
The rather chilly night began with opening act Shannon and the Clams, featuring another powerful front woman, Shannon Shaw, along with Cody Blanchard on vocals and guitar, Nate Mahan on drums, and Will Sprott on keys. The band had a vivid sound and rawness of energy that channeled perfectly through garage rock bops and edgier Doo-wop grooves. Hailing from Oakland, the band played a ten-song set that was fun, energetic, and engaging, and had no trouble seemingly capturing the attention of a tough crowd that was there for the headliner and also ordering dinner.
It was about 9:15 p.m. when Alabama Shakes strode out onto the Hollywood Bowl, walking out to the CCR song, Run Through the Jungle. By then, a fog was already setting in, and a sturdy chill was in the air, with the Shakes kicking off the setlist for the night playing Dunes and Hang Loose. Two songs that showcase their earlier essence of country rock and roots music influence on both records. They segued into I Ain’t the Same and I Found You, two songs that had an effortless cool that felt straight from the studios of Muscle Shoals. A compliment I know has been bestowed upon them many times over, but when something fits, it fits. It was a great way to start the show, almost like reintroducing them as a group, as a trio known for not only their sound but also for the way they can easily explore a multitude of genres. However, home for the Shakes is a plentiful mix of soul-led country rock and Southern garage rock.
Despite having only two full releases under their belt. The setlist from the Hollywood Bowl did not feel like it. Even as they leaned heavily towards one record, their second, Sound and Color. The setlist contained a whopping twelve tracks from it, including the opener mentioned above, Dunes. Some of the biggest standouts and highlights for me were the slow-churning bluesy groove of This Feeling. The soulful garage-rock pizazz is in the DNA of Sound and Color, and the nod to straight-up folk with Joe. It seemed like the perfect time and only fitting to chill and mellow out, as many of these songs ring out into this hollow Hollywood Hills canyon.
The song Don’t Wanna Fight and its dance-funk-grittiness gave off some Prince vibes and had me wanting to dance, but this was also dinner, and a Bowl show. So no one was really up dancing or even standing, which felt like a shame. So, even the hook-laden chorus and uplifting positivity in the lyrics did not cut through – nothing, but thankfully, there were a few outliers, one of them, me. Alabama Shakes also added two new songs that night, American Dream and Another Life.
The show ended on a three-song encore and a band introduction set to the grooviest music ever. It was clear from that night that The Alabama Shakes are back as they had the entire audience captivated and in the palm of their hands.
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