The Black Crowes @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney 13/11/2022
To say I was a little excited for tonight’s proceedings would certainly be an understatement. Not only have I been a huge fan of hard blues rockers from Georgia since they first formed, but I have always regarded the bands 1990 debut album Shake Your Money Maker as one of my all-time favourite albums, so to hear this gem played in its entirety was something I had been looking forward to witnessing the moment Live Nation announced this tour months ago. I arrived at the venue early to find a large number of fans had the same idea… As the show last night was not only the first on the bands national run, but it was also Sold-out and diehards were there early to make sure they secured the best spots to witness the magic that is a Black Crowes Live Concert experience.
With only minutes left to spare before the show kicked off there was barely standing room left inside the venue and as the lights went down the crowd went wild…. Hitting the stage one at a time and leading the charge was guitarist Rich Robinson who returned to the band in 2019 after a four year absence, next up strutting his stuff across the stage floor was the all rockin ever so charismatic front-man Chris Robinson who you could tell was all revved up and ready to rock. The group which also consists of bassist Sven Pipien; guitarist Isaiah Mitchell best known for his work with San Diego Psychedelic rockers Earthless, drummer Brian Griffin and keyboardist Joel Robinow made for the perfect line-up to present such an iconic album.
The band opened with the killer opening album track Twice as Hard and it was clear instantly that this show was going to be unlike anything I had seen this band do before. Rolling through the album tracks as they play out… Jealous Again, Sister Luck, Could I’ve Been so Blind both the band and crowds sprits were high. Chris worked the stage like to true professional he is.. with more struts than Jagger and rock n’ roll charisma millions would kill to have, Robison performed tonight better than any show I have witnessed in previous years. The band were having a great time onstage, plenty of smiles and laughs and the music…. Well… that’s what it’s all about and on that front the Black Crowes delivered in spades! I must also give props to the backing vocalists onstage with the band, these girls are truly incredible and shine through on gems such as Remedy and Seeing Things which is a personal favourite.
It was clear that the crowd favourites were the smash hits from the debut album She Talks to Angels and the crowd pleasing Hard to Handle, and I must admit witnessing and being part of the sold-out crowd that was singing along to this one was pretty amazing. Thick and Thin, Struttin Blues and the opening album track were among some of my highlights from last night’s show. It is quite hard to pinpoint just one favourite song or moment when the band is on fire the moment, they walk out onstage delivering what I would consider to be an ultimate fan set-list. Outside of playing every track from Shake your Money Maker the band also pulled out some killer tracks that spanned the bands career including By your Side, Thorn in my Pride and Wiser Time to name a few.
The band who are set to perform a second show tonight in Sydney and are going around the country over coming days will no doubt have every punter leaving these shows with a smile on their face and wanting more… The sound was incredible lights beautiful and the entire concert experience just perfect!
If you have a chance to get along to any of these shows do so. Music lovers across Australia will be speaking about these shows for years to come… do not miss this magical rock n roll experience!
More chances to catch THE BLACK CROWES including tonight back at the ENMORE THATRE in Sydney.
ENMORE THEATRE, SYDNEY MONDAY NOVEMBER 14*
FORTITUDE MUSIC HALL, BRISBANE WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 16* SOLD OUT
FORTITUDE MUSIC HALL, BRISBANE THURSDAY NOVEMBER 17* NEW SHOW
HARVEST ROCK, ADELAIDE SATURDAY NOVEMBER 19
PALACE FORESHORE, MELBOURNE SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20**
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
For complete tour and ticket information, visit: livenation.com.au or blackcrowes.com
