Roots and resilience
This Atlanta outfit mixes Southern rock grit with country soul and bar-band swing. A big chapter changed in 2024 with the passing of founding drummer Brit Turner, and the group now carries that feel-forward groove in his honor. Expect a set that leans on fan anchors like
One Horse Town,
Waiting for the Thunder, and
Good One Comin' On, with a newer cut like
Little Bit Crazy tucked in early.
What you might hear
Crowds tend to span college kids to longtime road lifers, with plenty of couples and families who know the choruses cold. A neat tidbit:
Holding All the Roses was produced by Brendan O'Brien, and the band cut much of
The Whippoorwill at Zac Brown's Southern Ground on analog gear for extra warmth. They also like to tack a cover tag onto
Sleeping Dogs, sometimes nodding to the Beatles mid-jam. Note: these song picks and any production flourishes here are informed guesses and can change with the night.
The scene around Blackberry Smoke
Denim, drawl, and big choruses
You will see broken-in denim, vintage Southern rock tees, well-loved boots, and trucker caps traded like souvenirs between old friends. Folks swap favorite deep cuts at the bar and compare which tour poster to frame, while kids in ear protection learn the clap parts from the front rail. Sing-alongs bloom fast, with thick harmonies on
One Horse Town and a stomp-clap lift before the chorus of
Waiting for the Thunder. Merch tables lean practical and collectible at once: koozies and work caps next to limited posters and a fresh-pressed
Be Right Here LP. The vibe is welcoming but not flashy, like a neighborhood jam that just happens to roar. It feels tied to '70s barroom spirit, yet grounded in today with mindful lyrics and a crowd that actually listens between solos.
The craft: Blackberry Smoke in full stride
Twin guitars, lived-in swing
The vocal leads ride clear and unforced, with a slight rasp that sells both barroom burners and back-porch ballads. Twin guitars handle the heavy lifting, trading tight harmonies on hooks before peeling into conversational solos that rise and fall with the room. Keys add churchy color, and the rhythm section keeps a pocket that shuffles rather than stomps, letting tempos push and pull for feel. They often rework endings into longer codas, turning a three-minute tune into a slow-burn dance without losing the chorus shape. A small nerd note: slide-heavy numbers often use a lower, open-voiced guitar setup so chords ring while the melody glides on top. Visuals lean warm and amber with a few bold strobe hits on big refrains, keeping the focus on the band and the songs.
Kindred company for Blackberry Smoke fans
Kindred roads and shared stages
If you dig this groove,
The Black Crowes make sense for their swaggering riffs and harmony guitars that bloom live.
Whiskey Myers hit a heavier Southern crunch yet keep storytelling front and center, which clicks with this crowd. Jam-minded fans often cross over to
Govt Mule for stretched solos, blues roots, and a rhythm section that lets songs breathe. Country-rock travelers will find overlap with
Zac Brown Band, where glossy hooks meet road-tough chops and a friendly sing-along vibe. Each of these acts values live dynamics over polish, and their shows reward people who like guitars that talk and songs that can stretch without losing the plot.
