The Black Crowes’ Shake Your Moneymaker reunion tour rolled into Charlotte’s PNC Music Pavilion on Friday for a great night of rock ‘n’ roll. While performing their 1990 album in full (the 30th anniversary tour last year was postponed), the band also found time for a handful of other tunes to wrap up the night. I left the night with five questions.
Was this tour just a money grab?
Of course, with the band on hiatus for quite a while and many thinking there was too much bad blood to get back together, the assumption was that Chris and Rich Robinson reunited for the money. There’s no way to know if that’s true, but judging by the playfulness and positive energy throughout the set, I’d say the Brothers Robinson are having a blast on the road together. From the opening notes to the final applause, singer Chris rarely stood still — dancing and strutting his way around the stage. The usually stoic guitarist, Rich, cracked smiles on a regular basis.
What’s with the bartender?
Did anyone else notice the bar and tuxedo-wearing bartender in the background all night? He never served a drink.
How much for all those lights?
Roughly 100 glass-and-wire lights hung above the stage and it created quite an intimate and electric (pun intended) atmosphere. The retro vibes along with the façade of a shed created the perfect backdrop for the band’s brand of Southern rock. Those retro lights aren’t cheap though.
Will The Black Crowes make another album?
For years, Chris was busy with Chris Robinson Brotherhood while Rich was touring with Magpie Salute. Both side projects garnered solid fan bases and recorded outstanding albums. So, fans are going to wonder what happens next. Will those side projects continue or are The Black Crowes here to stay — at least for a while? Judging by the joy brought to the audience and band (even though a few are tour-only hired guns), I’d love the Robinson brothers to record some more songs together. Only time will tell.
Does Dirty Honey have a time machine?
L.A. rockers Dirty Honey opened the night and served as the perfect appetizer for what was to come. The rock quartet has a hint of California glam mixed in with retro vibes that harken back to the ’70s and ’80s. Solid riffs, and the right amount of raspy roar from the vocals made Dirty Honey a great start to the night. They’re definitely a band worth keeping an eye on. It’s probable they won’t be an opening act for much longer.
Black Crowes setlist
Twice as Hard
Jealous Again
Sister Luck
Could I’ve Been So Blind
Seeing Things
Hard to Handle
Thick N’ Thin
She Talks to Angels
Struttin’ Blues
Stare It Cold
Gone
Black Moon Creeping
Soul Singing
Wiser Time
Thorn in My Pride
Remedy
Encore
Hey Hey What Can I Do
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