Concert Review: The Brook & The Bluff at The Alabama Theatre

Making their Alabama Theatre debut, the band performed to a large crowd of fiercely loyal fans. This was their fourth annual Thanksgiving Eve show in Birmingham, first appearing at Saturn, then Iron City, then a livestream from Vulcan in 2020. 

The Brook & The Bluff know how to work a stage. Even with the size of The Alabama's stage, the band had full mastery of it, grooving, rocking, and rolling all across its expanse. While generally a softer rock band, the boys know when to let loose and lay it all out for the crowd. Leaps from the drums, coordinated side steps, spins, and jumps made sure the blood stayed pumping.

The band features Joesph Settine, leader singer and rhythm guitar, John Canada, drums and vocals, Alec Bolton, lead guitar and vocals, and Fred Lankford, bass and vocals. Kevin Canada also joins the quartet on keys. One thing you'll immediately notice live is the group's harmonies, a core component of their sound. During their shows the group will gather around a round, retro microphone and perform stripped back versions of songs, allowing their harmonies to shine.

While the band members are from Birmingham and are now located in Nashville, we here at WEGL are a bigger fan of their third home: Auburn, AL. Auburn marks the beginning of the band and they continue to have a strong following in our college town. 

The Alabama Theatre is a room to behold. The gorgeous theatre was first built in 1927, and later restored in the late 1990s. The immense history and connection to Birmingham in the theatre makes it the perfect location for a show like this, which draws on the energy of Birmingham's music community. 

The Brook & The Bluff packed their setlist. Songs from The Brook & The Bluff, First Place, and Yard Sale all made the cut, hits and deep cuts alike. Of course, new favorites "Misnomer" and "Doobie Bronson" made the cut, initial hits "Shelby" and "Rush" were also in the fold. A beautiful rendition of The Beach Boys' "Don't Worry Baby" during the acoustic portion of their set. The full setlist is below;

          1. Off the Lawn

          2. Straws

          3. Misnomer

          4. Shelby

          5. Don't Go Slippin' Away

          6. Lovers Rock

          7. Back Through The Lens

          8. Everything Is Just a Mess

          -

          9. Don't Worry Baby (Beach Boys cover)

          10. On Top of the World

          11. Hallways

          -

          12. Masks

          13. Rush

          14. Little Sheets

          15. Yard Sale

          16. Pastels

          17. Halfway Up

          18. Doobie Bronson

The band recently announced more tour dates coming up over the next few months, including nearby Tuscaloosa, Atlanta, and Athens. The full list of dates is below;

          12/3 Nashville, TN — The Basement East^

          12/4 Nashville, TN — The Basement East^

          1/21 Memphis, TN — Growlers

          1/22 St. Louis, MO — Duck Room

          1/25 Minneapolis, MN — 7th Street Entry

          1/26 Madison, WI — High Noon Saloon

          1/28 Urbana, IL — Canopy Club

          1/29 Louisville, KY — Zanzabar

          1/30 Bloomington, IN — The Bluebird

          2/1 Lexington, KY — The Burl

          2/4 Grand Rapids, MI — The Stache

          2/6 Columbus, OH — A&R Music Bar

          2/8 Carrboro, NC — Cat's Cradle

          2/10 Chattanooga, TN — The Walker Theatre

          2/12 Asheville, NC — The Grey Eagle

          2/17 Tuscaloosa, AL — Druid City Music Hall

          2/18 Atlanta, GA — Variety Playhouse

          2/19 Athens, GA — Georgia Theatre

          ^ with Lindsey Lomis

The Brook & The Bluff continue to amaze crowds. You can expect the band to return to Birmingham next Thanksgiving to continue their tradition. You can also expect it to be bigger and better.