Review: The Black Crowes Happiness Bastards Tour at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre

On the heels of releasing Happiness Bastards, their first studio album since 2009, The Black Crowes played to a sold-out hometown crowd at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre. And from the start, it was Chris Robinson, doing his thing, and the band taking everyone back to the 70’s, whether they were alive then or not.

Opening with “Bedside Manners” from their new album, Robinson commanded the stage in his typical style, roaming center stage, his body expressing the songs because his hands just aren’t enough. The chorus:

If you don’t want my diamonds, don’t shake my tree
Girl, you think you know what’s good for me
Flies in my eyes, but I can still see
What you’re doing to me
Stab a knife in my back, then you want a plead
With friends like these, who needs enemies?

The lyrics practically drip with Robinson’s familiar voicing. Robinson made it clear that they were excited about singing their new material, and the good news is that the new material blends seamlessly with their older songs. It’s more good news that it appears that the setlist will be changing each night. You’re going to get their biggest hits, but it’s good to a show without some surprises.

Visually, it could be said that Chris Robinson is the show. He’s the focal point, delivering the goods and engaging the audience. The staging even includes a large mirror, stashed between adjacent walls of amps, accentuating the Mick Jaggerish-preening at times.

Rich Robinson played at stage left, one Robinson grounded while the other was flying high. Rich chose his moments, usually featuring slide guitar solos, and otherwise seemed to enjoy watching the spectacle of his brother and absorbing the crowd’s reaction to the new songs. A should bump from his brother set a solid smile on his face. It’s great to see this harmony in the band after their time apart.

Stage right featured Nico Bereciarua who took on most of the lead guitar duties in sizzling fashion. Blues, rock, melody, soul – he can handle it all. Backup singers Mackenzie Adams and Lesley Grant added that something extra whenever they sang, completing that early to mid-70’s groove.

With no discredit to the newer songs being front-loaded in the set (“Wanting and Waiting” and “Cross Your Fingers” shown brightly), it was their rocking cover of Velvet Underground’s “White Light / White Heat” that seemed to ignite the band’s energy through the rest of the set. “Thorn in My Pride” was the highlight of the show, an extended piece where the band cut loose for solos and Chris played harmonica.

“Jealous Again” and “Remedy” closed the set to no one’s disappointment. If there was a grumble, it was that the set and the encore lasted only an hour and a half. Maybe a couple extra treats for the hometown next time?