Alabama Shakes

Already confirmed for Bluesfest, swampy, soul-rock outfit, Alabama Shakes, will be performing their one and only headline show in Sydney at the Enmore Theatre, joined by the high-energy, soul phenomenon that is Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires

Following the release of their storming debut album, Boys & Girls, in 2012, the Alabama Shakes proved they could fully deliver on the groundswell of anticipation built up by their already legendary live performances and the acclaim of peers such as Adele and Arctic Monkey’s Alex Turner. The album went on to sell over half a million copies worldwide and earned them a laundry list of accolades, including a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 2013.

Whilst their studio offerings have gathered much rapture, it is their live performance that has made the biggest impact. Led by Brittany Howard’s arresting and soulful vocals, the band includes the shuddering blues riffs of Heath Fogg (guitar), and the rhythm section of Zac Cockrell (bass) and Steve Johnson (drums) that conveys such fluidity that it truly brings out the drama in their songs. Rendering a garage-R&B revivalism ad drawing heavily on Memphis soul and Southern rock, they have amassed a live presence so dynamic and towering that audience members are left feeling like they’ve been hit by a freight train and yearn for more.

Alabama Shakes formed whilst still in high school a short 5 years ago in Athens, Alabama, a part of the world steeped in musical history and garnering a long heritage for making the most soulful rock music. Proving that a steely work ethic and an indefatigable live presence is not a lost art, during the best part of a year the group went from being a small-town northern Alabama bar band, to being one of the most talked about rock outfits around. Bringing their not-so-subtle blend of fiery blues-rock and hard-hitting Southern soul, they’ve drawn comparisons to The Black Keys, Drive-By Truckers, The Detroit Cobras and even Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings.

Joining them on the evening will be the one and only, Screaming Eagle of Soul, Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires. Also appearing at Bluefest in 2015, Charles Bradley burst onto the scene after releasing his widely praised debut album No Time For Dreaming (2011) at the tender age of 62. His remarkable against-all-odds rise has been well documented: how he transcended a bleak life on the streets to soul super-stardom, after being discovered impersonating James Brown by Daptone Records in Brooklyn. A glistening voice in modern soul, with distinctively rough-hewn timbre, it’s the unmistakable voice of experience and personal connection to the music that keeps you captive when Charles Bradley is on stage. Each note and gruff inflection is an expression of his tumultuous personal path, and it has the world-over sitting up and taking notice, including the likes of SXSW and Rolling Stone.

“Bradley is a classic showman. He sells every syllable, dropping to his knees, outstretching his arms, shaking his hips. And that voice, both pleading and plaintive, anguished and extraordinary.” – Los Angeles Times, SXSW review

Bradley returns to Australia in 2015 as part of the celebration of the release of his second album Victim of Love: an offering of gratitude to his fans and supporters, packed with joy and broader musical scope, including experiments with psychedelic soul The Temptations explored in the early ’70s. From humble beginnings and a somewhat late discovery as an artist, Bradley is now well and truly at the forefront of modern soul.

The chance to see these two acts on the one stage, on the one night, is not an opportunity that will present itself often. Do not miss your chance to be one of the lucky few.