Alabama Shakes Deliver Blues-Rock Bliss at Rousing New York Reunion Show

The music world has been fixated on major reunions like Oasis, but a quieter, deeply resonant comeback has been underway. Alabama Shakes, the celebrated blues-rock ensemble led by the powerhouse vocalist Brittany Howard, has made its return after dissolving in 2018. Their recent show at New York's Forest Hills Stadium—their first city appearance in more than eight years—attracted a devoted audience of 13,000, underscoring their lasting pull despite the absence of a new record. The band had hinted at fresh material with a tour announcement in January and the release of "Another Life," their first single in ten years.

Taking the stage in a dramatic white cloak, Howard ignited the night with the laid-back surf-rock rhythms of "Hang Loose." Though early vocal pitch wavered on numbers like "I Ain't the Same," the group soon found an irresistible, cohesive energy. A particularly heartfelt pause came when Howard, who has since forged a notable solo career, reflected on her origins. "Before all this, I was a mail carrier for the USPS," she told the roaring crowd, visibly emotional. "To see it become what it has feels nothing short of miraculous." This glimpse into her past underscored the remarkable journey from postal routes to Grammy-winning stages.

The crowd at Forest Hills Stadium—a historic Queens tennis venue that first opened in 1923—leaned toward an older demographic but was fervent throughout. Attendees mostly stayed seated but erupted with shouts and thunderous bleacher-stomping that reverberated across the venue. The set leaned heavily on material from the band’s Grammy-winning 2015 album "Sound & Color," alongside favorites from their 2012 debut "Boys & Girls." Original members Heath Fogg and Zac Cockrell provided steady support, while drummer Steve Johnson, who faced since-dismissed legal charges in 2021, did not participate in the reunion.

Alabama Shakes demonstrated their impressive stylistic breadth, moving from the straightforward anthem "This Feeling" to the complex, prog-inflected intensity of "Dunes." A standout moment arrived with "Miss You," when Howard recounted the song’s quirky backstory, prompting an emotional fan to belt the opening line about a "Mickey Mouse tattoo" through tears. The evening reached its peak with a gripping version of "Gimme All Your Love," whose raw passion and clashing guitars built toward a climax. Before the explosive bridge could even start, the band was met with a prolonged, roaring standing ovation—a powerful tribute to Howard’s artistry. As one attendee observed, the extended pause amplified the tension, rendering the song’s final release overwhelmingly potent.