As any Setlist.FM reader knows, touring bands more often than not play the same numbers in the same order from venue to venue for practical reasons as well as production, planning, timing and ease. Some bands like to shake things up here and there, and some bands like to do it a lot, surprising fans with a different show night after night.
The Black Crowes are mostly in the latter camp, opening with a different song as they travel along on tour, throwing in deep cuts they haven’t played in years, covers that strike their fancy and of course, some of the best known hits blended in.
They have a lot of big ones to choose from, and for their current Southern Hospitality Tour, the staples seem to be “Remedy” off Amorica (which they opened with on Monday at the Hollywood Bowl), "Jealous Again” (their breakthrough single) and the gorgeous ballad, “She Talks to Angels.”
This tour also has a jammier-than-usual element thanks to the supporting openers Whiskey Myers and Tedeschi Trucks Band, and it made the whole experience feel like a loose, bluesy and twangy jamboree complete with a junkyard stage set-up and Tedeschi joining the Robinson Brothers and their current line-up for some stellar covers instead of a traditional encore.
Whiskey played some flawless southern rock —well described as Crowesy (in the best way)— while the 12-piece Trucks wowed with a soulful, bar-band-on-steroids style that was basically pitch perfect whether it was lead singer Susan Tedeschi belting out her Bonnie Raitt-like croon or the band’s backup singers taking over for visceral vocal moments.
Guitarist Derek Trucks also impressed with rapturous riff work and the setlist was overall pretty incredible, with covers of Frank Zappa, Crosby, Still, Nash and Young, Dr. John, Jeff Beck and two(!) back-to-back Sly and the Family Stone stomps. In all, this is a band who give everyone the spotlight and the communal vibes make for a warmth and connection that’s unforgettable.
That was definitely the case when they all came back out at the end of the Crowes set to perform three covers, including The Rolling Stones’ “Loving Cup,” one my all time favorites off Exile on Main Street. As a huge Stones fan, I love to see artists of all genres cover their catalog. (Interestingly, we sat with friends at the Bowl who’d just seen The Melvins’ Steve McDonald cover “Sway” off of Sticky Fingers at their Belasco theater show the night before).
Whether the cover is a reinterpretation or a faithful rendition, it’s always a treat for this writer and the Crowes do the latter often and very, very well. This take on “Cup” done with heftier harmonies was no exception.
Another cover that wow’d earlier in the evening was Rich Robinson’s moment on lead vocals for The Velvet Underground’s “Oh! Sweet Nuthin,” which elevated the tune’s country flair. It was a wistful highlight of the show both vocally and instrumentality.
Still, Chris’ pulsating pipes are always the star of any Black Crowes set and as time goes by, it’s inspiring to see that his chops are still tops. This man loves what he does and watching him sing is pure rapture.
From “Twice as Hard” off their debut Shake Your Money Maker to “My Morning Song” and “Thorn in my Pride” off The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, Chris Robinson still hits all the notes of his youth and then some.
Admittedly, his penchant for changing up arrangements and inflections and adding new runs on some of the band’s best tracks can make it frustrating to “sing, sing, sing, sing, sing, along” as his backup gals instruct on the Lions hit “Soul Singing,” but it’s a small price to pay to see how the Crowes still soar in a live setting.
Catch one of the remaining two tour dates in California:
August 19, 2026: Toyota Amphitheatre - Wheatland, CA
August 20, 2026: Shoreline Amphitheatre - Mountain View, CA
Then see the band supporting Guns n’ Roses on the following dates:
August 22, 2026 -Allegiant Stadium - Las Vegas, NV
August 26, 2026 - Commonwealth Stadium - Edmonton, AB
August 29, 2026 - BC Place - Vancouver, BC
August 30, 2026 - Tulalip Amphitheatre - Tulalip Bay, WA
September 2 2026 - Snapdragon Stadium - San Diego, CA
November 20 & 22, 2026 - Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez - México, Mexico
