It was 22 months since the WNY area have enjoyed live music at one of its most prestigious venues. That venue is none other than Artpark. There was a lot of uncertainty with the booking of any acts in 2021. Currently (like many other venues), Artpark is in the midst of trying to put together some shows for the rest of the 2021 summer concert season. The first one they were able top pull of was Blackberry Smoke with Nick Perri & The Underground Thieves. They originally had capacity restrictions and due the constant changes in Covid-19 policies, the attendance (approx. 1,2000) didn’t reflect the amount of love and interest that the bands fans came and shown for Blackberry Smoke.
Opening the show was Philadelphia’s a own Nick Perri and The Underground Thieves. You may remember Perri with his days in Silvertide. The band released its self titled debut record last year “Nick Perri & The Underground Thieves.” The band played a very uplifting hour set that consisted of a variance of tunes. The upbeat “Feeling Good” and “Modern Man” were highlights for sure. They also threw in a few covers including Pink Floyd’s “In the Flesh” and Neil Young’s “My My, Hey Hey (Out of The Blue). There was a little something for everyone in his set and I believe they won over a lot of the crowds who were there to see Blackberry Smoke. A very solid set. Check out the interview we did with Nick from last fall: Interview.
Headlining the show were the band that has been gaining a lot of attention over the last few years in Blackberry Smoke. They just released a terrific album titled ” You Hear Georgia” on 3 legged/Thirty Tigers Records. 6 tracks were played off this album including the title track. If your not sure who the band is, think of the Allman Brothers, The Black Crowes and Lynyrd Skynyrd all rolled into one. Their southern style of music was just what the doctor ordered as the crowd were totally into it right from the opening chords of “All Over the Road.” Led by vocalist/guitarist Charlie Starr, the 7 piece band delivered a tight sounding southern flavor of music the entire night. Not many bands have 3 guitarists, but Starr along with Paul Jackson and touring guitarist Benji Shanks playing really complimented each other. The band had a great flow until some weather disrupted the set and it was delayed for approximately 43 minutes. Starr came back out to say “the weather man and police said its ok for us to play,” and play they did. The professionals that Blackberry Smoke are, they finished their set by playing the remaining 8 songs that were on the bands setlist. Starr dedicated “All Rise Again” to brother Warren Haynes. they also said “Old Scarecrow” to the people who don’t give a damn what others may think.” They invited Nick Perri out to play “Morningside” with them.
The weather couldn’t put a damper on the WNY crowd or Blackberry Smoke. The attendees “weathered out the storm” you could say. I didn’t see anyone really leave and they were treated to another fantastic opener in a long line of them that Artpark continues to deliver year after year. It just took a little longer this year. It was definitely worth the wait!
Setlist:
All Over the Road
Lord Strike Me Dead
Workin’ for a Workin’ Man
Good One Comin’ On
Live it Down
Waiting for Thunder
Crimson Moon
Let it Burn
Hey Delilah
Sleeping Dogs
You Hear Georgia
Ain’t Got the Blues
All Rise Again
Run Away from it All
One Horse Town
Old Scarecrow
Morningside
Ain’t Much Left of Me
We would like to thank Dave Wedekindt from Artpark for helping getting the credentials to review the show.
