Line-up

Headliner
Alabama Shakes Last time in Reading: First time!

Venue

The Mount at Wasing

Reading, UK

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Alabama Shakes biography

Alabama Shakes is an American rock band that formed in Athens in the state of Alabama (what a shocker), USA in 2009.

The band’s style can be described as a mixture of genres, from roots rock, Southern rock and garage rock to soul, Americana and blues rock. The group currently consists of lead singer and guitarist Brittany Howard, guitarist Heath Fogg, bassist Zac Cockrell, keyboard player Ben Tanner and drummer Steve Johnson. Howard and Cockrell formed the band while still in high school together, find a calling playing roots rock. Early influences for the band include Led Zeppelin, James Brown, Otis Redding and AC/DC.

Alabama Shakes big breakthrough came when they released the four-song, self-entitled EP ‘Alabama Shakes’ in September 2011. This gained them media attention and earned them an invitation to play at the CMJ Music Marathon industry showcase in New York, a performance which was heavily praised by the press.

In November 2011, the band rose from relative obscurity to international stardom. The band was signed by Rough Trade Records in the United Kingdom and ATO Records in the United States. Their debut album, ‘Boys & Girls’ was released in April 2012 and was an instant success: it achieved gold record status for sales of over half a million in the USA. The band has received several Grammy nominations for their work: the categories they were nominated for include Best New Artist, Best Rock Performance for their single ‘Hold On’, and Best Recording Package for ‘Boys & Girls’.

Live reviews

I have seen the group Alabama Shakes perform many times and all I can say is that it gets better and better each time. The latest show was absolutely mind blowing and simply fantastic to be a part of the crowd watching them live on stage.

Brittany Howard, who is the group's lead and guitarist, has one of the most powerful voices I have heard in a long time and her guitar solos are freaking awesome. Everyone had such a good time that you will find yourself singing and dancing from the beginning of the show, right up until the end. Most of their venues are very accommodating and the stage is just the group and their instruments, not much else going on the stage like you see at other shows and artists.

What I like about them is that they give their all into every single performance, no holding back and this is what the fans enjoy seeing. Their sound is mostly Blues and Southern Rock that is delivered beautifully by this group especially Brittany.

If ever they are performing, I make it a must to go see them because I know I am sure to have a blast.

Anonymous