Photos and Review by Stephen Bloch

13 years ago, with little more than a couple of singles in their holsters and some indie radio buzz, Alabama Shakes, who are indeed from Athens, Alabama, not Athens, Georgia, played to a sold out crowd at the historic Pabst Theater in Milwaukee, WI.  This was a tough ticket to procure despite the band not even having an album out yet.  Yesterday, the band made it a tough ticket again at the significantly larger Miller High Life Theater in Milwaukee. This was the tour opener for the band and they were indeed locked and loaded.

With only two studio albums, the majority of the show was filled with hits that everyone knew.  The night began with their walk up song, CCR’s “Run Through the Jungle” and from there we got pretty close to both albums in their entirety as well as three new tracks, “Another Life” and “American Dream” and “Drive by Baby”. Dunes, Hang Loose, Hold On, Sound & Color, Don’t Wanna Fight were absolute crowd faves.  

It took almost eight years for this band to get back on the stage after they disbanded in 2017.  They don’t appear to have any rust. Production value,  including a dramatic stage and mesmerizing  lighting, are a far cry from the minimalism of their first tour.  This is a not-to-be-missed tour.  Do not miss the opener on this tour either.  Sam Evian was every bit as good as the headliner.  His brand of indie rock fit flawlessly with the rootsy sound of the Shakes.