Concert Review: The Revivalists at The Ryman Auditorium

The halfway point of the band's Fall U.S. tour, The Revivalists brought out all the stops for their first of two nights at The Ryman Auditorium. The show, livestreamed online, saw the band weave their way through over a decade of music with jam sections, vocal belts, and a wild energy deep from the heart. The band is currently touring in support of their new EP, Made In Muscle Shoals Vol. 2, that came out this past summer. It is a live studio reimagining of older songs and covers and is the follow up to 2020's Made In Muscle Shoals.

Paris Jackson served as direct support for the show. Her performance was jaw dropping. Fierce, fiery, and eager, Paris delivered a blazing live show that is hard to replicate. Her set, half solo and half with a full band, showcased the dynamics in the songwriter's arsenal. From piercing and loud rock anthems to soft and delicate songs about sadness and fear, Paris delivered on all fronts. A combination of original cuts and covers, including Manchester Orchestra's "Everything To Nothing", kept the 35 minute set fresh throughout. 

Blinking red lights and the thud-thud of a heartbeat, The Revivalists came to party. The octet's massive array of instrumentation, from saxophone to lap steel, created a concoction of bluesy bliss. The band's sound feels like the soul of 'Nola was lifted straight into a southern rock supergroup. Blistering guitars, rolling keys, and a handful of saxophone solos had the audience eager for more after each and every song. Percussion could also be felt in the floor all around the room, largely in thanks to the band two drummers who traded off dueling kits. When performing "Soulfight" the band jammed close to ten minutes and featured all manners of solos and interludes.

Frontman David Shaw is a performer. Shaw has a commanding presence on stage, and his ability to control the crowd is spectacular. Moments of intimacy and moments of chaos made up his, and the rest of the band's, performance. "Stand Up" saw Shaw strut through the aisles of The Golden Circle (the lower floor of The Ryman) mingling with the crowd during the bombast of one of the night's most danceable tunes. 

The crowd loved it. The entire night the entire auditorium was locked in, fixated on the band and their performance. The passion of the band was matched in equal parts by their fans, some of who were there for their first Revivalists show, some who were going on a decade of them. I witnessed a young girl run gleefully from the stage after David Shaw gave her a high five, a couple in the balcony rocking together in awe, and a rabid fan on the front row losing his mind throughout the entire show. The Revivalists have crafted something special with their concerts.

Production was top notch. The audio was flawless, and the legendary acoustics of the old church made them all that much better. The band's lighting package was also stellar, with a giant truss-build heart hanging overhead and dozens of lighting fixtures on the ground. The design of the show felt overwhelming, but just in the way you want a concert to feel overwhelming. Whenever there was a high, the lights would rise up, and whenever there was a low, a lone spotlight could be seen focusing in. 

One of the best reasons to go to a Revivalists show is their setlist, a different one will greet you each night. The way a band crafts their setlist is always special, and to do it every night adds not only a unique element to each show, but added dedication. Having to know additional songs, be prepared for different cues, and not be able to rely on memory is seriously impressive. The Revivalists' setlist for the show is below;

          1. All My Friends

          2. When I'm With You

          3. You Said It All

          4. Stand Up

          5. Don't Look Back

          6. Fade Away

          7. To Love Somebody (Bee Gees cover)

          8. Straw Man

          9. BTBD

          10. Criminal

          11. It Was A Sin

          12. You And I

          -

          13. Hurricane Winslow

          14. Catching Fireflies

          15. Soulfight

          16. Wish I Knew You (Another Brick In the Wall, Pt. 2 interlude)

Not a ton our touring left for The Revivalists going into 2023. Only four more dates, including a second at The Ryman, cap off their Fall tour. They then return home for two nights to celebrate New Years Eve before preparing for a couple of festivals in late Winter.

          11/07 Nashville, TN — The Ryman Auditorium*

          11/09 Washington D.C. — The Anthem*

          11/11 Boston, MA — MGM Music Hall at Fenway*

          11/12 Port Chester, NY — The Capitol Theatre* (SOLD OUT)

          12/30 New Orleans, LA — Orpheum Theater

          12/31 New Orleans, LA — Orpheum Theater

          2/26/2023 Tempe, AZ — Innings Festival 2023

          3/19/2023 Tampa, FL — Innings Festival 2023

          * with Paris Jackson

A fantastic night of live music in The Mother Church. The sense of awe over the night was inspiring, the show felt like a revival. Perhaps that is where they get their name. Regardless, The Revivalists put on one of the best performances I've seen all year. The immense talent they brought to the stage, paired with their production and energy made this show one that will live in the backs of minds for a long, long time.