Watch: Alabama Shakes Reunite for First Time Since 2017

Photo Credit: Danny Clinch

On Wednesday evening, Tuscaloosa, Ala., received an unexpected musical surprise when Brittany Howard transitioned her solo concert into an Alabama Shakes reunion without advanced warning. The resulting show served as the band’s first and only reunion since 2017, effectively ending a seven-year performance gap. 

Before the concert format changed, Howard was expected to perform an intimate set at the Bama Theatre as a part of the Tuscaloosa Get Up 3 Benefit Concert. According to the initial report, Howard took the stage and performed a solo take on her Jaime contribution, “Short and Sweet,” evoking a bit of wordplay between the song title and her ensuing action. 

Next, Howard claimed to have forgotten her electric guitar. The move provided an opportune moment to hop off stage and transition the night into a fully-fledged reunion–even the video backdrop changed from Brittany Howard to Alabama Shakes, beckoning Howard, bassist Zac Cockrell, and Heath Fogg to the stage. 

“If there’s one place we’re gonna get back together, it’s gonna be Tuscaloosa,” Howard warmly announced before embarking on a walk down memory lane, pulling from 2012’s Boys & Girls (“Be Mine,” “Hang Loose,” “Hold On,” “I Ain’t the Same”), 2015’s Sound & Color (“Gimme All Your Love,” “Joe,” “Shoegaze,” “This Feeling”), and their Silver Lining Playbook’s soundtrack, “Always Alright.” 

Despite last night’s long overdue return, an Alabama Shakes reunion might have been on the horizon longer than expected. Notably, the group had reconvened to a certain extent, given their coming together on the LP Giobbi’s latest album, Dotr. The set, released on Oct. 18, 2024, includes guest slots from the band on “Until There’s Nothing Left.” 

Up until last night’s reunion, Alabama Shakes had previously performed on August 6, 2017, at the Osheaga Festival. Notably, the group’s original drummer, who has faced legal issues in recent years, was not a part of the Tuscaloosa concert.

Brittany Howard appeared on Relix’s January/ February 2024 cover. Order the magazine now.

Read Howard’s cover story here. 

Everybody is on their feet for THE ALABAMA SHAKES at the Bama Theatre pic.twitter.com/9D85T9YPaZ

— Ryan Phillips (@JournoRyan) December 19, 2024