Blackberry Smoke brings the Spirt of the South to Indianapolis

Indianapolis, IN. – You could not have asked for better concert weather! After three days of rain, the heat and humidity finally broke and the forecast called for nothing but “Blue Skies” and low’s in the upper 50’s. Fans of all ages donned hoodies, scarves and coats for an all-star evening of Southern Rocks finest when the boys from Atlanta brought the Spirit of the South Tour: A Celebration of Rock-n-Roll featuring Blackberry Smoke, The Allman-Betts Band, and openers, Cordovas, along with an all-star encore performance by S.O.T.S. (featuring all the acts from the evening along with a “special guest”) to the 317.

Kicking off the nights festivities was a great band out of Nashville called the Cordovas. Showcasing songs off their 2020 album Destiny Hotel on ATO Records, frontman and founder Joe Firstman (vocals, bass, multi-instrumentalist), along with band members Toby Weaver (guitar, vocals, Multi-instrumentalist), Lucca Sonia (guitar, vocals), Sevans Henderson (keyboardist), and Hayden Cotcher (drums) gave a solid set of folk and southern rock; throwing in a couple Grateful Dead covers as fans made their way into the venue and took their seats or claimed their spots on the lawn.

Another added feature of the Spirit of the South Tour: A Celebration of Rock and Roll is a traveling display of memorabilia from the BIG HOUSE: The Allman Brothers Band Museum located in Macon, Georgia. If you’re not familiar with the BIG HOUSE, it was home to the Allman Brothers Band original members, their families, roadies, and various friends from 1970 – 1973. Featuring one of the largest collections of Allman Brothers Band memorabilia, the BIG HOUSE gives fans an inside look into those early years when the band was forming their magic and becoming the forefathers of Southern Rock.

To the famous cases from the Fillmore East performance, from the guitar used on the Eat a Peach album, to the many posters and show bills over the years, fans of the Allman Brothers and the southern rock genre could stroll along the display cases and get a tease of what the BIG HOUSE has to offer fans of all ages. If you’re traveling down through Georgia, be sure to make this a “must see stop” on your itinerary!

Speaking of The Allman Brothers Band, next up on the nights line-up was the 2nd generation of southern rockers, The Allman-Betts Band featuring Devon Allman (vocals, guitar), Duane Betts (vocals, guitar), Berry Duane Oakley (bass), Johnny Stachela (guitar, slide), R. Scott Bryan (percussion), John Lum (drums), and John Ginty (keyboards). Currently out in support of their sophomore album, Bless Your Heart, the Allman-Betts Band reminds you of why you were so fond of the Allman Brothers while still bringing their own unique sound into the mix.  The band only has a few more dates with the Spirit of the South Tour but don’t fret, they kick off their own tour starting the end of September and will be out through the end of 2021 with The Allman Family Revival dates starting in November.

Last but not least was the main act Blackberry Smoke featuring frontman Charlie Starr (vocals, guitar), Paul Jackson (lead guitar, rhythm guitar), Brandon Still (keyboards), Brit Turner (drums), Richard Turner (bass), Preston Holcomb (percussion) and Benji Shanks (guitar). Entering the stage to a montage of songs mentioning Georgia, Blackberry Smoke kicked off the set with the title song off their new album by the same name “You Hear Georgia” and got straight down to business. Treating Indianapolis fans to a two hour set that showcased songs off the new album while still pulling fans favorites from previous albums like “Good One Comin’ On“, “One Horse Town”, and “Aint’ Much Left of Me”.  

But the night didn’t end there.  After a quick break, the encore started with a line-up tagged S.O.T.S. (Spirit of the South) that featured both Blackberry Smoke, The Allman-Betts Band and a very special guest, Jimmy Hall from Wet Willie (a southern rock band that was popular throughout the 70’s and helped chart the Southern Rock genre). They finished the night off with some famous Southern Rock tunes for a great sing-along from the crowd. You couldn’t have asked for a better night of beer, boogie and southern charm! 

The Spirit of the South Tour only has a few more date this season, but Blackberry Smoke will be out showcasing You Hear Georgia and touring through the end of 2021 before heading overseas. Be sure to check their website for stops near you! 

Setlist: Indianapolis, IN – 9.23.2021

1. You Hear Georgia
2. Six Ways to Sunday
3. Live It Down
4. Good One Comin’ On
5. Waiting for the Thunder
6. Let It Burn
7. Hey Delilah
8. Sleeping Dogs
9. The Whippoorwill
10. Ain’t Got the Blues
11. Run Away From It All
12. Morningside
13. Free On the Wing
14. One Horse Town
15. Old Scarecrow
16. Ain’t Much Left of Me

Encore: S.O.T.S.

1. Take the Highway (Marshall Tucker Band cover)
2. Call me the Breeze (J.J. Cale cover)
3. Grits Ain’t Groceries (Titus Turner cover) with Jimmy Hall
4. Keep On Smilin’ (Wet Willie cover) with Jimmy Hall
5. Southbound Mama (The Allman Brothers Band cover) with The Allman-Betts Band
6. Melissa (The Allman Brothers Band cover) with The Allman-Betts Band
7. Midnight Rider (The Allman Brothers Band cover) with The Allman-Betts Band

show date:  09/23/2021