Alabama Shakes Electrified Red Rocks in a Triumphant Reunion Show: Review

It’s hard to believe that ten years have passed since the release of Sound & Color, the album that catapulted Alabama Shakes into rock royalty. Yet, when the band took the stage at a sold-out Red Rocks Amphitheatre on July 20, it was as though time had stood still. For the thousands in attendance, it felt as though Alabama Shakes had never left.

As the evening began, Brittany Howard emerged from the shadows, draped in a flowing, all-white chiffon outfit. The ethereal look, complemented by vines hanging from the rafters and the distant sounds of crickets, set a mystical, almost sacred tone for the night ahead. It was an entrance that seemed to honor the soulful grit and depth of her music — a feeling that would resonate throughout the entire performance.
The band opened with "Dunes," an emotive, bluesy, room-shaking sound that felt like a roots revival. Huge organs and pianos thundered through the open-air venue, transporting the crowd to a place where music, soul and history collided. There was an undeniable reverence for the sonics that had first captured the hearts of fans nearly a decade ago.

The backing vocalists, three powerhouse singers, surrounded Howard, each voice adding its own layer to her already commanding presence. Their harmonies helped elevate Howard's vocal prowess to new heights, building her emotive crooning into something even more transcendent. The synergy between them was palpable, and at times, it felt like a spiritual choir guiding the audience through every note. The audience members, swept up in the energy of the night, were fully “taken to church.” They were completely tunnel-visioned, eyes locked on the stage as if drawn into an unspoken communion with the band. It was a mesmerizing experience — a feeling of collective reverence — and the Red Rocks crowd responded in kind, clapping, singing and even swaying like a congregation.

Visually, the show was a feast for the eyes. Warm, golden lights bathed the band as they played, with a rotating spotlight that focused on each member during their solo moments. These shifts in lighting weren't just for spectacle — they highlighted the heart and soul of the band, each musician getting their moment in the sun. Every guitar riff, piano chord and drum beat felt as deliberate and integral as the next.
And when Alabama Shakes paid homage to its earlier records, such as Hold On and Gimme All Your Love, the crowd connected through one collective voice. Every single person was singing along, belting out each word with such passion that it felt like a community experiencing a rare and beautiful moment in time.

Throughout the evening, Howard shared personal stories about the band’s early days — how she met her bandmates in high school, how they’ve grown, and the gratitude she felt for the fans who had supported them since the beginning. After one such heartfelt moment, they launched into "This Feeling," a track that seemed to capture everything: the joy and faith in being right where you are supposed to be.
But it was Howard’s magnetic stage presence that truly commanded the night. With a combination of grit, soul, and a heartfelt, raw conviction, she held the room in the palm of her hand. Ending in a double-encore, Alabama Shakes delivered with such authenticity that it was impossible not to be caught up in it all.

We’ve heard that new music is on the horizon, but Alabama Shakes reminded that, while eight years have gone by, its return feels not only timely but more compelling than ever. With unfiltered energy, unmatched grace, and a deep well of soul, the band proved that some things—like extraordinary music—are always worth the wait.

See photos from the show below: See more concerts on our Denver concert calendar.