Alabama Shakes made a triumphant return to the UK after a decade-long absence, performing at Millennium Square in Leeds on their first British show since 2014. The multiple Grammy-winning blues-soul-rock band from Athens, Alabama, treated fans to a set that was both slick and raw, suffused with a palpable sense of hope for the future.
Long-Awaited Comeback
“Long time, no see,” declared frontwoman Brittany Howard as she stepped on stage to a rapturous welcome. The band’s last UK show was 10 years ago, and their most recent album, Sound & Color, was released in 2015. However, a third album is expected later this year, and the Leeds gig served as a preview of what’s to come. If there was any rustiness from the hiatus, it wasn’t evident as they launched into the smooth but punchy Rise to the Sun, setting the tone for an evening of versatility.
Setlist and Performance Highlights
Playing as a five-piece band—now minus original drummer Steve Johnson—plus three backing singers, Alabama Shakes performed in front of a backdrop resembling a Windows 98 screensaver of animated clouds. The stripped-back setting highlighted the band’s ability to captivate without embellishments. Howard showcased her vocal range, from Curtis Mayfield-esque falsetto to Aretha Franklin-like rousing bursts, letting rip gloriously on tracks such as Hang Loose.
The band was especially captivating when in full swing. On the new song Time, they stretched into a raucous yet deft instrumental workout fusing hard rock with wobbly psychedelia. Gimme All Your Love blended polished R&B with blistering riffs, demonstrating their dynamic range. The encore featured the new political single American Dream, a slow-burn number referencing abortion rights and gun violence, rooted in the belief that tough times can be overcome.
Themes of Hope and Resilience
One inescapable element of the night was the lingering sense of hope rippling through their music. From the mantra-like cries of their 2012 hit Hold On, performed movingly, to Howard singing “I’ve been having me a real hard time / but it feels so nice to know I’m gonna be all right” with palpable emotion on This Feeling, the set was a testament to overcoming adversity. Howard ended the show by wishing the crowd affordable housing, love, and pets that live to 35 years old—a whimsical but heartfelt sentiment that resonated with fans who had lapped up the entire evening voraciously.
Audience Reaction and Future Dates
The Leeds audience’s enthusiastic response made it clear that Alabama Shakes had been sorely missed. The band is scheduled to play at Alexandra Palace in London on 3 July, continuing their UK tour. With a new album on the horizon, this return marks a significant moment for fans of the deep south rockers.
