Playing to a near capacity crowd, the alt rock band Sister Hazel brought their “We Got It All Tonight” Tour to Amos’ Southend this past Thursday evening. 2016 was a busy year for the Gainesville, Florida rockers as they released their first new music in 6 years with their 9th studio album “Lighter In The Dark” as well as a live, acoustic CD/DVD “Unplugged At Daryl’s House Club.” Sister Hazel has always been an eclectic blend of different genres with a mix of alternative and southern rock and “Lighter In The Dark” takes things a step further with a definitive country feel.
The audience was full of hardcore fans, affectionately known as Hazelnuts that were eager to get the evening started. As the band took the stage they launched into “Mandolin Moon” from the “Absolutely” record combined with a cover of the Beatles’ “Here Comes The Sun.” The setlist was a good mix of old and new with the five new country songs fitting nicely in with Sister Hazel classics. Lead vocalist Ken Block got the fans involved early on clapping, raising his fists, and urging everyone to sing along creating an upbeat, party with friends vibe from the start. He even took time to make a quick video with the audience shouting out get well wishes to a sick fan and give a dedication to Allman Brothers Band drummer Butch Trucks who passed away earlier in the week. The band has been together for over 20 years playing together seamlessly and anticipating each other’s every move. Lead guitarist Ryan Newell was outstanding, holding back when needed and letting it wail when appropriate along with throwing in some killer slide work as well. The band’s biggest hit “All For You” from their 1994 self-titled debut provided a dance party atmosphere as the crowd sang their hearts out before the band closed out their regular set with “Strange Cup of Tea.”
After a very brief break, they obliged the crowd’s chants for one more song as guitarist and vocalist Andrew Copeland took a spot behind the keyboards for “This Kind of Love.” There was a slight problem with the vocal mic as the sound engineer told Copeland to sing stronger. Andrew asked the audience if they could hear him and as they roared yes told the sound engineer “it’s a love song, they can hear me” before getting back to the task at hand. At that point, touring keyboardist Dave LaGrande entered with a sax and a sweet, soulful sound filled the venue. It was a poignant and emotional performance. The rest of the band returned and really amped up the crowd with a medley of “Friends In Low Places,” “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” and “Sweet Caroline” which had everyone in a frenzy. There was still time for one more song as the band finished their encore with “Swan Dive” before saying goodbye to the crowd and to the venue as the band was sad to hear that Amos’ Southend will officially be closing this March.
Tonight’s show was proof positive that great music is great music. It doesn’t matter whether it’s rock, country, or alternative. Sister Hazel put on a show that truly touched people’s souls.
Set List:
Mandolin Moon/Here Comes The Sun (Beatles Cover)
Happy
We Got It All Tonight
Where You’re Going
Your Winter
Kiss Me Without Whiskey
Beautiful Thing
Run Highway Run
Champagne High
Shame
That Kind of Beautiful
Change Your Mind
All For You
Strange Cup of Tea
Encore:
This Kind Of Love
Take It With Me
Medley-Friends In Low Places (Garth Brooks Cover)/Take Me Home, Country Roads (John
Denver Cover)/Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond Cover)
Swan Dive
We would like to thank Jamie Reeder from Average Joes Entertainment for the credentials to review the show.
