Live Review: Blackberry Smoke - O2 Academy, Birmingham
Support: Bones Owens
13th September 2024
Words & Photos: Tim Finch
On a cool evening at the O2 Academy in Birmingham, the crowds gathered for an incredible night of music. The support act, Bones Owens, warmed up the crowd with a set that blended gritty rock 'n' roll with Americana flair, setting the stage perfectly for the headliner, Blackberry Smoke.
Bones Owens took to the stage with confidence, kicking things off with the bluesy rocker ‘Get It On’. The crowd, eager for a taste of what the night had to offer, responded immediately. His raw guitar tones and raspy vocals gave songs like ‘Lightning Strike’ and ‘Bring Me Back’ a rebellious, road-worn charm. Owens has a way of blending country influences with gritty rock rhythms, especially on tracks like ‘Goin' Back Where I Came From’ and ‘Country Man’, which felt like a dust-tinged journey through the heartland of America.
As he moved through his set, tracks like ‘White Lines’ and ‘Rambler’ carried a nostalgic, outlaw vibe, punctuated by fiery solos and heavy riffs that kept the crowd hooked. Owens wrapped up his set with ‘Bout Time’, a powerful closer that left the audience fully primed for the Southern rock legends that were about to follow.
When Blackberry Smoke hit the stage, the crowd erupted. The band opened with ‘Six Ways to Sunday’ immediately diving into their signature blend of rock, blues, and country. From the first note, it was clear that the band had the audience in the palm of their hands, their sound tight and their stage presence measured and precise.
Early highlights included ‘Good One Comin' On’ and ‘Workin' for a Workin' Man’, where the band showcased their knack for storytelling through their lyrics. Each song felt like a chapter of life on the road, with tales of hard work, heartache, and good times all rolled into one.
The pace shifted during the poignant ‘Like It Was Yesterday’ and the soulful ‘Azalea’, where frontman Charlie Starr’s vocals took on a more intimate tone, offering a moment of reflection amidst the rock-heavy set. Tracks like ‘Hey Delilah’ and ‘Crimson Moon’ brought out the bluesier, Southern side of the band, while ‘Everybody Knows She's Mine’ had the crowd singing along in unison, the energy in the room rising with every verse.
A standout moment came with ‘Sleeping Dogs’, where the band extended the song into a jam that showcased their technical prowess and ability to craft intricate, extended live performances. They also treated the audience to a snippet of The Quireboys ‘7 O'Clock’ during ‘Run Away From It All’ a nice nod to the legend Spike who was in attendance.
As the main set came to a close with the high-octane ‘One Horse Town’ and ‘Little Bit Crazy’ Blackberry Smoke left the crowd wanting more. And more they got.
Returning to the stage for the encore, Blackberry Smoke paid tribute to the local Birmingham legends Black Sabbath with a powerful cover of ‘Fairies Wear Boots’. The choice to honour the city’s musical heritage was a brilliant move, and the crowd roared with approval as they nailed the heavy, sludgy riffs of Sabbath’s classic.
They closed the night with ‘Ain't Much Left of Me’, a fitting end to a show that was filled with raw emotion, technical mastery, and Southern rock swagger.
Photo Credits: Tim Finch Photography
