Carmel, IN. – The acoustically refined Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts provided an ideal setting on December 10, 2025 for the kickoff of the Shake ’Em On Down Tour, a powerhouse assembly of contemporary blues, rock, and roots music featuring Samantha Fish, Cedric Burnside & Jon Spencer. From the moment the lights dimmed to the final encore, the evening delivered a compelling arc of musical styles and generational energy that underscored why this trio of artists has become one of the most talked-about bills in today’s blues-rock circuit. The concert is part of the 2025-2026 Center Presents Season sponsored by Allied Solutions, drawing both seasoned blues aficionados and newer fans eager to witness a dynamic live set.
Opening the evening, Jon Spencer brought a feral, art-punk energy that served as a thrilling pivot between Burnside’s roots and Fish’s contemporary blues-rock. His set was both chaotic and meticulously controlled, blending distorted guitar textures with playful stage charisma. The band’s loose, feedback-driven approach injected a punk-infused momentum that stirred the crowd and kept the energy elevated. Spencer’s performance was not simply a warmup but a full-fledged artistic statement, showcasing his long legacy in pushing blues and rock boundaries.
SET LIST:
- SKUNK
- JUNK MAN
- ONE HOUR LATER
- TWO KINDSA LOVE
- WRONG
- GET AWAY
- COME ALONG
- WORM TOWN
- AFRO
- ALRIGHT
- FANCY PANTS
- SWEAT
- DISCONNECTED
- IDENTIFY
- COME ON
JON SPENCER: BANDCAMP | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | X | YOUTUBE
Next, Cedric Burnside embraced his Mississippi Hill Country blues heritage with a stripped-down but hypnotic set that felt deeply rooted and authentic. Anchored by his signature rhythmic guitar work and raw, unvarnished vocals, Burnside leaned into the trance-like pulse that defines the Hill Country sound, favoring groove and repetition over flash. His songs unfolded patiently, allowing tension and emotion to build organically, while his commanding stage presence conveyed a deep respect for the lineage he carries forward. At moments meditative and at others fiercely driving, Burnside’s performance provided a stark, powerful contrast to what followed, grounding the show firmly in tradition while setting a high bar for emotional intensity and musical credibility throughout the night.
SET LIST:
- HILL COUNTRY LOVE
- THANK YOU
- I’M GOING
- CLOSER
- WHAT MAKES ME THINK
- PLEASE TELL ME BABY
- POOR BLACK MATTIE (R.L. Burnside cover)
- TOLL ON THEY LIFE
- LOVE HER TIL I DIE
CEDRIC BURNSIDE: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | X | YOUTUBE
When Samantha Fish took the stage as the headliner, the atmosphere crystallized into the night’s most electrifying moments. Commanding the room from the first note, she paired searing guitar work with a smoky, expressive vocal delivery that exuded confidence and emotional depth. Fish carved through a setlist that blended material from her latest release with longtime fan favorites, balancing technical precision with raw intensity. Her solos were both ferocious and nuanced, showcasing a guitarist unafraid to push dynamics and texture while remaining deeply rooted in blues tradition. Equally compelling was her rapport with the audience, as she fed off the crowd’s energy and returned it tenfold, resulting in sustained applause and a palpable sense of connection that elevated the performance from impressive to unforgettable.
SET LIST:
- PAPER DOLL
- I’M DONE RUNNIN’
- BETTER BE LONELY
- SWEET SOUTHERN SOUNDS
- LOSE YOU
- EITHER WAY I LOSE (Teri Thornton cover)
- BULLETPROOF
- FORTUNE TELLER
- POOR BLACK MATTIE (R.L. Burnside cover)
- NO ANGELS
- RUSTY RAZOR
- DON’T SAY IT
- BLACK WIND HOWLIN’
- GOIN’ WITH YOU BABY (R.L. Burnside cover with Cedric Burnside & Jon Spencer)
SAMANTHA FISH: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | X | YOUTUBE
The show concluded with a collaborative encore that embodied the spirit of the Shake ’Em On Down Tour — an intergenerational celebration of blues and rock that honored tradition while embracing innovation. By weaving together Spencer’s genre-defying flair, Burnside’s heritage, and Fish’s contemporary mastery, the concert left an impression of cohesion and creative electricity. Fans departed the Palladium buzzing, clearly appreciative of a night that transcended a typical tour stop into a memorable celebration of blues-rooted artistry.
Show Date: 12.10.2025
