Kevin Bronson on April 13th, 2015

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Who: Alabama Shakes at the Outdoor Theatre
In 3 or Fewer Words: From fertile soil.
Unforgettable Because: As the Athens, Ala., quintet took the stage, a rail-hanger shouted at Brittany Howard, “I love you, Mama!” It was more an acknowledgement of the 25-year-old singer-guitarist’s commanding presence, indeed a maternal one, than a dreamy-eyed come-on, and the new Muse of roots music lived up to the hype, guiding the band through a 10-song set dotted by tracks from the new album “Sound & Color” (out next week). With her, guitarist Heath Fogg, bassist Zac Cockrell, keyboard player Ben Tanner and drummer Steve Johnson proved magnificently taut, inspiring paroxysms of joyous dance scarcely seen at Coachella outside the Sahara Tent. Howard, bedecked in a stylish caftan (we’re not fashion plates, but here’s the story), admitted, “We feel your love.” And even in a set missing the band’s first single, the gold-selling “Hold On,” they returned that love with powerful new tunes such as “Don’t Wanna Fight,” “Gimme All Your Love” and “Future People.” It was the most demographically diverse set I witnessed at Coachella, and an overall highlight to be sure.
What I’d Tell My Friends Who Wear at Hot Natured: I hope that wears off.
— K.B. (Photo by Bronson)

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