LIVE REVIEW : The Black Crowes at the O2 City Hall (2024)

ImageCredit@IMDb

17^th of May marked the return of the Atlanta rock band The Black Crowes, in their first visit to Newcastle since 1992. Armed with Happiness Bastards, their first album in 15 years, the Robinson brothers hit the stage with a renewed passion and excitement reminiscent of their early performances. As the second show of their short UK tour, the band returned with great panache to bring their new music and some old classics to a particularly animated and adoring crowd.

Having stolen my entire music taste from my dad, I am no stranger to the 90s rock scene. So, when he told me that The Black Crowes were playing the City Hall for the first time in over thirty years, I jumped at the chance to go see these legends in person. It’s not been smooth sailing for these guys; the band parted ways in 2015 and the Robinson brothers cut all contact with each other. But 2019 saw a reconciliation between the two – and a new era began.

There is no better atmosphere than in the City Hall when it’s packed and waiting for a gig to start. After promptly bankrupting myself to add a tour t-shirt to my collection, I squeezed as far forward as I could manage (a tricky task when you’re short) and prepared to be deafened. The evening began with a spectacular performance from the support act Jim Jones All Stars. The product of psychedelic rock frontman Jim Jones (of Thee Hypnotics), this eight-piece was the perfect act to get the crowd into gear. The dirty guitars, the astonishing saxophone solos (especially in Gimme the Grease), and the sheer joy these performers exuded whilst on stage was so infectious that it was impossible not to get excited. Their debut album Ain’t No Peril came out in the September of 2023, and I am now eagerly awaiting more new material.

But finally, it was time for the main event. Black covers were pulled back to reveal a wall of stacked amplifiers, as well as a full-size Hollywood-style mirror, with backing singers and an entire drumkit perched atop this tower of musical might. And, in a blaze of gold and black, the band emerged to screams of approval. Kicking off the show with Bedside Manners, the opening track of the new album, it was clear to see the excitement radiating out of the band, as Chris Robinson strutted his way around the stage bedecked in his gold striped blazer.

What followed this was an effervescent display of showmanship and musicality. The setlist was the ideal blend of fresh tracks and old classics, making sure that both the diehard fans and the more casual listeners were entertained. Their famed cover of Otis Redding’s Hard to Handle (their most streamed song on Spotify with over 200 million listens) was met with immense excitement. Chris Robinson proudly explained the roots that both the band and the legendary soul singer shared in Georgia, and the performance featured a crisp guitar solo from Rich Robinson. The band’s attitude toward the audience was vital to creating the welcoming atmosphere inside the concert; Chris Robinson put in the effort to talk, to joke, and to scorn security guards who were attempting to stop people jumping. Just as I didn’t think it would be possible for the crowd to get anymore excited, they instantly followed up with their 1990 hit She Talks To Angels, serving as the beautiful crowd-puller and as a moment of nostalgia.

For the encore, the audience were treated to a glittering (I mean that literally) performance of Good Morning Captain from their 2009 album Before the Frost … Until the Freeze (my personal favourite). This was the perfect choice for the encore; the bluesy Southern rock that the Black Crowes are so well known for shone through and the elation was palpable in the audience.

I left the venue feeling like I was floating, and with a renewed love for the band. It can be said now without a doubt; The Black Crowes are back baby, better than ever, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for them in the future.

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