Blackberry Smoke electrified Royal Oak Music Theatre on their Be Right Here Tour, delivering high-energy Southern rock with Sam Morrow’s gritty Americana sound opening.
Opening the night was Sam Morrow, a Houston native whose sound is a riveting blend of Southern grit and modern soul. Opening with “By Your Side,” the first track off his new album On The Ride Here, Morrow effortlessly captured a sound that is uniquely his own: something between a mix of bluegrass soul, grungy rock & roll, and country funk.
Morrow’s voice is an instrument in itself—a gravely, warm baritone brimming with bluesy swagger and infectious energy— put on full display in tunes like “Quick Fix,” “Rosarita,” and “Addicted to Love.” The band behind him was as tight as they come, bringing a fierce and cohesive sound that elevated each song. Fans were treated to a grooving bass solo in “Cigarettes,” along with a melodious keyboard solo in “St. Peter.”
Morrow’s stage presence was a captivating mix of laid-back confidence and genuine gratitude. Between songs, he shared anecdotes that felt personal and unscripted, drawing laughter and nods of recognition from the audience.
Ending on an upbeat note with “Paid by the Mile,” Morrow left the stage to thunderous applause. For fans of roots rock and country blues, Sam Morrow is an artist whose live show is not to be missed.
The crowd erupted in applause as Blackberry Smoke lit up the stage. They kicked off with the high-energy track “Workin’ for a Workin’ Man,” immediately pulling the audience into their world of gritty riffs and Southern charm. Lead vocalist and guitarist Charlie Starr commanded the stage with effortless charisma, his voice perfectly suited to the band’s signature sound. The rhythm section, held down by bassist Richard Turner and drummer Kent Aberle, provided a thunderous backbone, while keyboardist Brandon Still and guitarists Paul Jackson and Benji Shanks added texture and depth.The band’s setlist was a perfect mix of hits and deep cuts, with songs like “Pretty Little Lie” and “Ain’t Got the Blues” igniting powerful sing-alongs. Newer tracks from their latest album Be Right Here were also huge hits; “Hammer and the Nail” and “Like It Was Yesterday,” got everyone on their dancing feet. All of this while the band swapped between over half a dozen guitars, seemingly using a different one every other song- which led to a killer heavy open to “Waiting for the Thunder” with Starr’s Explorer, and an almost psychedelic start to “Sleeping Dogs.”
Blackberry Smoke is truly a jam band in their heart, taking time to have extended plays whenever they could, most notably in “Let It Burn,” “Waiting for the Thunder,” “The Whippoorwill,” and “Whatcha Know Good.” It’s in these jam sessions where you really see the band’s raw and heartfelt passion for their music.
One of the standout moments came during the performance of “Azalea,” which the band dedicated to their late drummer Brit Turner, who passed away earlier this year. The crowd and band alike sang the song in reverence for Brother Brit.
The encore featured a raucous rendition of “Shake Your Magnolia,” and their classic closer “Ain’t Much Left of Me,” which included the jam sessions of all jam sessions with an intro of Fraternity Of Mans’ “Don’t Bogart Me” and an interlude of Canned Heat’s “Let’s Work Together.” It capped off the evening perfectly, leaving the audience buzzing. Blackberry Smoke’s blend of authenticity, musicianship, and showmanship made for an unforgettable night that reaffirmed their status as torchbearers of Southern rock.
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