Southern rock fans were treated to a high-energy performance on March 28, 2025 at 713 Music Hall in Houston, TX, as Blackberry Smoke brought their “Rattle, Ramble, and Roll Tour” to a packed house. Led by singer/guitarist Charlie Starr, the band, which formed in 2000, has become a staple in the Southern rock scene. With a blend of hard rock, blues, folk, Americana, and country, they continue to bring the genre into the modern era, drawing from influences such as ZZ Top, The Zac Brown Band, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
The crowd got a little taste of what was to come with some soulful southern country by opener Zach Person. His guitar solos had my ears perked as I followed every note as he was an orchestra conductor waving his baton. When Blackberry Smoke took the stage, the crowd erupted in cheers. Opening with “Shake Your Magnolia,” Starr’s soulful voice and commanding stage presence set the tone for the evening. The band continued with hits like “Live It Down” and “Let It Burn” where organ solos from Brandon Still added an extra layer to their sound.
Throughout the night, the band played a mix of rockers and slower ballads, such as “Good One Comin’ On,” and “Pretty Little Lie.” “Dig a Hole” had the crowd raging and head butting before seamlessly returning to “Sleeping Dogs.” The crowd was especially engaged during “Ain’t Got the Blues,” joining Starr in the chorus.
As the night continued, the crowd cheered during “One Horse Town,” with the band finishing strong on “Holding all the Roses.” A memorable encore included the folk-inspired “Walk Away” before the band concluded with “Ain’t Much Left of Me,” a powerful anthem of resilience. The crowd rose to their feet, applauding as Starr and the band leave the stage, only to return shortly for an encore performance of “Azalea,” a captivating folk tune highlighted by Paul Jackson on acoustic guitar, Benji Shanks on mandolin, and percussionist Kent Aberle keeping the rhythm with mallets on his drums.
The audience left the venue buzzing with excitement, many praising the performance. Fans echoed sentiments of how Blackberry Smoke never disappoints, with the band’s passion and musicianship shining through the entire set.
For more about Blackberry Smoke, visit blackberrysmoke.com.
Photo Gallery by Damian Ruiz
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