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

The Birmingham natives and Auburn alumni have been making waves online, with over 30,000 Instagram followers and close to 1.3 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Since leaving Auburn, the quintet has release two studio albums and an EP to much fanfare. 

Last night's show was one of the largest the band has ever headlined. The Georgia Theatre has a standing room capacity of 1,000, a tough room to fill for many nationally tour acts, much less when the attendance was split between a show in Atlanta just the night before. The last time the band was in Athens they were opening for locals Family and Friends on this same stage four years ago.

Made up of Joesph Settine (leader singer and rhythm guitar), John Canada (drums and vocals), Alec Bolton (lead guitar and vocals), and Fred Lankford (bass and vocals), The Brook & The Bluff have a lot of talent behind the name. 

The quartet are well known for their vocal harmonies. All four band members are mic'd up and take on vocals. As usual, they slowed it down for a few acoustic songs about halfway through the set that feature heavy harmonies. This show featured The Beach Boys' "Don't Worry Baby" (which had the whole theatre singing along) and their original "Petals on the Floor." 

The folk-rock outfit really know how to write a good song. The groups soft yet rowdy guitars, groovy bass, and delicately precise percussion keep things rocking and rolling. Kevin Canada joined the band on keys, adding some great flavor to their already dense soundscape. Solos bring back memories of past rock legends that have played The Georgia Theatre.

Energetic and charismatic as ever, The Brook & The Bluff were in complete control the whole night (minus a bit of barking from some overly enthusiastic UGA fans). These guys sure know how to put the 'rock' in 'folk-rock,' spins, kicks, and some groovy dance moves kept the night lively. Expect a good bit of dancing and a whole lot of fun when you to one of their shows.

Nashvillle based, Orlando native, Gatlin opened up the show. Combining elements of folk and pop into her music, she got the crowd warmed up good for The Brook & The Bluff. She started out on a good foot with Athens, bringing on local Cannon Rodgers (CannonandtheBoxes) out on bass guitar. Her set featured her crossover hit "Talking to Myself."

The band came prepared with close to twenty songs to play. "Misnomer," "Rush," and "Doobie Bronsen" all made the cut. The full setlist is below;

         1. Misnomer

         2. Shelby

         3. Don't Go Slippin' Away

         4. Lovers Rock

         5. Back Through The Lens

         6. Everything Is Just a Mess

         7. Masks

         8. Rush

         -

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

         10. Petals on the Floor

         -

         11. Little Sheets

         12. Straws

         13. Goodbye

         14. Yard Sale

         15. Off the Lawn

         16. Pastels

         17. Halfway Up

         18.Doobie Bronsen

         -

         19. Are You Lonesome?

Touring is essential to every growing band and The Brook & The Bluff know that all too well. The band still has a handful of headlining dates scheduled, but they have two massive opening slots for Rainbow Kitten Surprise and Ashe to carry them through to summer. The band also has landed on a couple of major music festivals.

         2/21 Carrboro, NC — Cat's Cradle* (SOLD OUT)

         2/25 Tuscaloosa, AL — Druid City Music Hall*

         4/07 Columbia, SC — Township Auditorium^

         4/08 Pelham, TN — The Caverns^ (SOLD OUT)

         4/09 Pelham, TN — The Caverns^ (SOLD OUT)

         4/11 Fayetteville, AR — JJ's Live^

         4/12 Des Moines, IA — Hoyt Sherman Place^

         4/14 Omaha, NE — The Admiral^

         4/15 Milwaukee, WI — The Riverside Theater^

         4/16 Newport, KY — PromoWest Pavilion at Ovation^

         4/17 Columbus, OH — A&R Music Bar*

         4/19 McKnees. Rocks, PA — Roxian Theatre^

         4/21 Harrisburg,  PA — XL Live^ (SOLD OUT)

         4/22 Norfolk, VA — The NorVa^

         4/23 Washington D.C. — 9:30 Club~ (SOLD OUT)

         4/25 New York, NY — Webster Hall~ (SOLD OUT)

         4/26 New York, NY — Webster Hall~ (SOLD OUT)

         4/27 Philadelphia, PA — Union Transfer~ (SOLD OUT)

         4/29 Boston, MA — Royale~ (SOLD OUT)       

         4/30 Montréal, QC — Théâtre Corona~ (SOLD OUT)

         5/01 Toronto, ON — The Danforth Music Hall~ (SOLD OUT)

         5/03 Detroit, MI — Saint Andrew's Hall~ (SOLD OUT)

         5/04 Cleveland, OH — House of Blues~ (SOLD OUT)

         5/06 Chicago, IL — Metro~ (SOLD OUT)

         5/07 Chicago, IL — Metro~ (SOLD OUT)

         5/08 Minneapolis, MN — First Avenue~ (SOLD OUT)

         5/11 Denver, CO — Summit Music Hall~ (SOLD OUT)

         5/12 Denver, CO — Summit Music Hall~

         5/15 Grand Rapids, MI — The Stache*

         5/22 Gulf Shores, AL — Hangout Music Festival

         6/16 Manchester, TN — Bonnaroo Music Festival

         7/29 Indianapolis, IN — Rock The Ruins+

         * with Gatlin

         ^ supporting Rainbow Kitten Surprise

         ~ supporting Ashe

         + supporting Lake Street Dive

The Brook & The Bluff are quickly gaining steam for good reason. Electric performances at every show they play, you're sure to see them at bigger and bigger venues every time they're in town.