Live Review: Alabama Shakes

A sold-out Metro Theatre played host to a rare musical feast as Alabama Shakes told it like it was. Vocalist Brittany Howard's soul-food presence cut through the full-flavoured sound seemingly without effort. She exudes the sort of love and positivity that can only come from pain and hardship, with lyrics that are chock full of pathos and melodies that you can't help but sing along to, something the audience was all too happy to do, especially to the anthemic Hold On.

In fact, audience participation was high on the night, with many songs setting the crowd's collective voice soaring in what this reviewer can only describe as unfettered joy and adoration, evidence that music fans have taken Alabama Shakes to heart, not a mean feat for a band that was little known 12 months ago. Particular crowd favourites included Hang Loose, I Found You, Rise To The Sun and the Beatles-esque You Ain't Alone.

Alabama Shakes know how to rock without ostentation, perhaps a result of years of playing standards and covers before they had the courage to start playing some of their own songs. No rock'n'roll posturing here, just good old-fashioned playing and musicianship, and the band seems more than happy for Murphy to take centre stage.

At one stage the beaming frontwoman told the audience she felt more than happy, she felt complete. If this sounds like a love story perhaps it was, and if you love your rock music without pretence but with a whole lot of Southern-inspired hospitality then get on down to an Alabama Shakes show while they are still playing smaller venues.