Photos and Review by Max Stewart
Tedeschi Trucks Band brought another uplifting run of shows at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre this past weekend, finishing off with a hearty dose of superb Allman Brothers Band covers on Saturday night (“Stand Back”, “Come and Go Blues”, “Dreams” and tease of “Little Martha”). Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi are the true power couple of music, and each time the band takes the stage at Atlanta’s historic Fox, there is something spiritual in the air. Sure, the theatre itself is alluring enough in its own right for any band to bring its ‘A’ game to the ATL: the countless historic shows, the regal atmosphere and picturesque interior with stars lining the ceiling… it truly is one of the country’s best rooms to see live music.
For Tedeschi Trucks Band, however, there is much more weight to every show at the Fox.
Yes, many of the members of Tedeschi Trucks Band call the greater Atlanta area home, making it a quasi-home base for the band. Derek Trucks cut his teeth at the Atlanta venue as a young member and slide guitar master in the Allman Brothers Band, performing alongside the late great Gregg Allman and his uncle, Butch Trucks. Also, founding TTB member and Atlanta native Kofi Burbridge tragically passed away in 2019, with each show back in town feeling like we are again basking in the musical joy with Kofi (the crowd at the Fox shows were littered with shirts honoring the legendary keyboardist and flautist).
But when Atlanta musical icon Col. Bruce Hampton passed away on the stage during the encore of his 70th birthday concert at the Fox in May 2017 with Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks and many other musicians that loved him performing with him on stage, the Fox took on a whole new level of importance. Trucks and Tedeschi have both said many times that Hampton was a guiding light and source for musical inspiration and wisdom throughout the start of their careers and beyond. Trucks would joke that Hampton often referred to himself as a “minor league coach” in expanding the musical palates and outlooks for countless other musicians.
Knowing the impact Hampton had on the band always elevates the energy and significance of each show at the Fox, as Hampton’s Zambi spirit always seems to be within arm’s length.
