Grammy-award-winning rock band Alabama Shakes brought their American Dream tour to the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA on Saturday, May 30th to the delight of a sold-out audience. Hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, the group is composed of Brittany Howard (lead vocals, guitar), Zac Cockrell (bass), and Heath Fogg (guitar), the former two of which have been writing and performing music together since high school.
Joined by additional talented musicians, including a keyboardist, drummer, and three supporting vocalists (“beautiful, angelic voices” as Howard put it), the Alabama Shakes took the stage to roaring applause after opener Nathaniel Rateliff.
From opening tune “Rise to the Sun” to grammy-winning “Don’t Wanna Fight” and concluding with fan-favorite “Hold On,” the band performed a gorgeous set complete with soul-filled vocals and instrumentals that left audiences feeling moved. Returning in the past two years following a six-year hiatus, which saw Howard and Fogg release solo projects, Alabama Shakes released their first single in ten years, “Another Life,” in August of 2025, with protest song “American Life” subsequently released in April of this year.
Howard, who has also won awards for her solo work, including the 2021 Grammy for Best Rock Song for her track “Jaime,” gave a well-appreciated pep talk mid-set on Saturday. She told the crowd “you’re doing good, take it easy on yourself” and emphasized that while we’re living through “stressful, scary […] unprecedented” times, it’s important “for us to put the power in our own hands.”She stressed the incredible power that we as humans have to build bridges, support each other, and heal one another, ending her self-described blessings/pep talk with the wish that all our pets live for 35 years, garnering a laugh and loud applause from the packed amphitheater.
Prior to taking the stage, Howard’s voice could be heard telling the audience that the band is supporting the National Day Laborer Organizing Network this tour and that by taking action to support the organization, which focuses on improving the lives and rights of day laborers, concert-goers could be entered to win a signed setlist. Opener Nathaniel Rateliff, famous in his own right for his solo work and work with his band The Night Sweats, discussed that he hopes for a future that “looks better than the one we have right now” and that “there’s endless possibilities if we continue to be accountable for one another and share love.”
These powers people have to connect, support each other, and share love were seen throughout the show as the musicians evidently loved their jobs and their work, performing beautiful and powerful music.
After Howard’s pep talk, Alabama Shakes continued their set, illuminated with multi-colored clouds behind the band, typically including a spotlight on Howard and sometimes the trio of backing vocalists. While the other band members, Cockrell and Fogg, were often in shadows, their talent shone through.
When Alabama Shakes returned to the stage for their encore, they welcomed Rateliff back to the stage to perform “Joe” off their 2015 number one album Sound & Color. We’d recommend checking out Alabama Shakes when they tour near you this year, dates which will include co-headlining with Tedeschi Trucks Band and performing at famous venues such as Radio City Music Hall.
Photos and review by Lauren Fuchs for Staged Haze
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