The Alabama Shakes reunion felt less like a comeback and more like a homecoming on the Sea.Hear.Now main stage.
Alabama Shakes’ long-awaited return came to fruition at Sea.Hear.Now with a raw and triumphant set on Saturday evening.
After years of hiatus, Brittany Howard and the band reunited at the end of last year, and are in the midst of their first tour since 2017. The band’s mix of soul, rock, and grit shook the Surf Stage ahead of Hozier, reminding fans why Shakes became one of the most important American rock bands of the last decade.
The Shakes played like a group eager to reclaim their place in the modern rock canon. From “Future People” to “Hold On,” Howard’s voice led a powerhouse blend of vulnerability and passion, which tore through the beaches and boardwalk of Asbury Park.
The set was a reminder of just how much the band accomplished in a short span. Their 2012 debut, “Boys & Girls,” made them festival staples, which was further propelled by their breakout single, “Hold On.” Three years later, “Sound & Color” won four Grammy Awards, including Best Alternative Album.
After going dark, Howard’s acclaimed solo career kept her in the spotlight. Her 2019 album “Jaime” showed further success for her career while also showcasing her artistic range, though it also magnified how much was missing without the Shakes’ chemistry.
Saturday night in Asbury Park brought back that missing piece. The interplay between Howard’s vocal ferocity alongside Zac Crockrell’s bass lines and Steve Johnson’s drumming reminded festivalgoers why the group felt like a generational force in the first place.
The emotion felt during the set wasn’t just on stage. Fans in the sand sang back every word with arms stretched skyward. The festival grounds started to feel like a congregation. In a festival known for a great community, surfing, and the beach, Alabama Shakes gave it a spiritual center.
Sea.Hear.Now thrives on its blend of energy and emotion, plus signs of sincerity. Alabama Shakes provided the latter to perfection. Their set wasn’t about pyrotechnics or surprises—it was about reconnection, both with each other on stage and with an audience that had waited years to hear them again.
As the sun set and “Hold On” was performed, the night tipped into something that felt like home. As always with a band like this, if you were outside the festival grounds, you’d be able to hear the sound echoing through the streets. It’s something special that only Sea.Hear.Now can produce.
If the Sea.Hear.Now lineup is designed to create moments fans can’t find anywhere else, Alabama Shakes delivered the most poignant one of the weekend. Their reunion show today wasn’t just another stop on the tour, it was proof that some bands don’t fade away; they just wait for the right stage to make their return.
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