The Alabama 3, Playing the Concord 2, Brighton, March 30th 2025.
It isn’t often that a free ticket turns out to be the gateway to an incredible gig. The atmosphere was fantastic and lively, perfect for the venue which was packed with an excited crowd. The perfect size - intimate but large enough to show the scope of the band. The opening act was a wonderful choice that fit the unique character of Alabama 3 incredibly well. But more than anything else, the rare realisation that you're surrounded by actual fans was what gave rise to the mind-blowing energy of the whole joyful experience. Everyone was dancing with few exceptions giving a very communal feel to the gig.
The opening act was a Fleetwood Mac inspired band, The Dead Reds, who announced their upcoming album launch at the Hope & Ruin, with an unexpected mix of country and punk lyrics which complemented Alabama 3's interesting fusion of techno acid house country. They had amazing energy and enthusiasm with a great stage presence. The whole band had well-coordinated outfits that fit well with the genre with long flowing sleeves and 70s silhouettes that gave the performance a professional feel and it was a great addition that showed thought and effort.
Alabama 3 started their set with only a small break after the opener. This was fantastic and made the night flow very nicely. The band had such liveliness which was exemplified by their ability to talk between songs they had great comedic banter and matched the audience's energy expertly. The chosen song order felt thoughtful and worked well building up energy with the songs played at the start being slower and leaning into the more country aspects of acid house techno country fusion that transitions into the most frantic and fast-paced songs with the techno elements at the forefront.
One criticism I have however is the choice to play three songs as an encore this left the crowd separated and unsure when to leave, ending in people walking in and out because of the uncertainty.
Another element I was excited to see was the matching outfits; they were a perfect mix of consideration and effort alongside fun and silliness. They all had gold suits that looked incredible with the lighting changes pulling focus to the stage at all times even when the songs were slower paced and the band stood still it maintained visual excitement. An aspect of the performance I was surprised by was the choreography. It brought a great feeling and enthusiasm, lighting up the audience and energising them. It also gave me the impression that Alabama 3 cared about the details and wanted to put on a show not just perform their songs.
Overall, it was an incredible show. I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to see Alabama 3 live. They had some of the most interesting and unique music I've ever heard and were some of the best performers I've seen.
Words, By Raphaela Clarke
Images: Xavier Clarke
Images by ©Xavier Clarke, XC PHOTOGRAPHY UK
Tour Schedule:
March 17th - Cambridge, Cambridge Junction
March 18th - Birmingham, O2 Institute 2
March 19th – Liverpool, O2 Academy
March 26th - Belfast, The Limelight
March 31st - Brighton, Concorde 2
April 1st - Southampton, Engine Rooms
April 2nd – Exeter, The Phoenix
April 7th - Newcastle Upon Tyne, O2 Academy
April 8th - Edinburgh, The Liquid Room
April 9th - Glasgow, SWG3
April 14th Cardiff, Tramshed
April 15th - Holmfirth, Picture Drome
April 16th - Manchester, O2 Ritz
April 17th - Leeds, The Warehouse
April 29th - Bristol, O2 Academy
The Dead Reds
in support, were fantastic, look out for their new album coming out later in 2025:
Find out more and visit:
Preview: and tour dates
South London’s beloved roots-futurists ALABAMA 3 have announced ‘STEP 13: THE DIVINE INTERVENTION TOUR’ set to take place in Spring 2022.
The group was born at an all-night squat party during the ’90s. Charismatic front man and co-founder Rob Spragg, started singing the lyrics to a Hank Williams song over an acid-house beat. Meanwhile, the other co-founder, the late Jake Black, a diehard Jazz fan, apparently re-joined with some bebop skat stylings. On that unforgettable night, the mutant embryo of the ALABAMA 3 was conceived.
Still adored the world over for 1997’s inaugural smash ‘Woke Up This Morning’, whose marriage of Howlin’ Wolf samples and trip hop beats provided the theme music for long-running HBO series ‘The Sopranos’, Alabama 3 have continued to explore their uniquely British absurdist twist on Americana, riven by post-rave aesthetics, savage socio-political satire, and lowlife narcotic misadventure. After touring 2016’s twelfth A3 studio album, called simply *Blues, which capped off a quarter-century of poly-cultural abuse came a turbulent few year involving the death of legendary songwriter Jake Black, aka The Very Reverend D, and the new normal we all face, the band bounced back with their latest album ‘Step 13’, released September 2021.
An offering that refuses to wallow in pity. Instead, the war-torn Brixton collective triumph according to their own peerless standards of cross-pollinating experimentation, street polemic. This latest album from the band is the pick me up we all need; a reminder to leave, bad news in the past, caution to the wind, and life to the fullest.
Luckily for those of us who need a reminder, the band will bring their new tracks, as well as old favourites across country, and they embark on a UK tour for Spring 2022. Travelling up and down the nation, the group will bring over 20 years of their fantastical, extreme sound to misfits, weirdos, and music lovers everywhere, providing the ferocious thrill of energy that have cemented the group as one of the UK’s most beloved trip-hop acts.
Dates for the group's UK tour are as followed:
March 17th - Cambridge, Cambridge Junction
March 18th - Birmingham, O2 Institute 2
March 19th – Liverpool, O2 Academy
March 26th - Belfast, The Limelight
March 31st - Brighton, Concorde 2
April 1st - Southampton, Engine Rooms
April 2nd – Exeter, The Phoenix
April 7th - Newcastle Upon Tyne, O2 Academy
April 8th - Edinburgh, The Liquid Room
April 9th - Glasgow, SWG3
April 14th Cardiff, Tramshed
April 15th - Holmfirth, Picture Drome
April 16th - Manchester, O2 Ritz
April 17th - Leeds, The Warehouse
April 29th - Bristol, O2 Academy
Thanks to Sonic Pr