BYRON BAY BLUESFEST SIDESHOWS: The Black Crowes Live at Enmore Theatre 8/4/2026
- How Good! Chronicles
- Apr 8
- 2 min read
There are gigs that feel like concerts, and then there are gigs that feel like time machines. On April 8, 2026, The Black Crowes turned Enmore Theatre into the latter—dragging a sold-out Sydney crowd deep into the sweaty, swaggering heart of rock ’n’ roll.
This wasn’t just another tour stop either. The added second Sydney show spoke volumes about demand, with fans eager to witness a band whose blues-soaked, Southern rock sound has endured for decades. And from the moment the lights dropped, it was clear why.
Southern River Band
Before the Crowes even hit the stage, Southern River Band delivered a support set that felt less like an opener and more like a warning shot. Loud, loose, and unapologetically Aussie, their pub-rock energy primed the room perfectly. By the end of their set, the Enmore floor was already heaving—beers in the air, voices warmed up.
The Black Crowes
When Chris and Rich Robinson finally walked out, the reception was deafening. The Crowes wasted no time, diving straight into a gritty, groove-heavy run that showcased exactly why they remain one of rock’s most formidable live acts.
The setlist struck a perfect balance between deep cuts, fan favourites, and soulful covers—each delivered with that loose, almost reckless precision the band has built its reputation on.
What makes The Black Crowes special live isn’t just the songs—it’s the feel. The interplay between the band members was loose but locked-in, like they were constantly on the edge of falling apart but never quite doing so.
Chris Robinson commanded the stage with preacher-like intensity, part shaman, part rock frontman, while Rich Robinson anchored everything with razor-sharp riffs. The extended jams never felt indulgent—just necessary, like the songs were stretching their legs in real time.
There’s something about the Enmore Theatre that elevates nights like this. Its intimate size and history as Sydney’s longest-running live venue give it a kind of reverence that arenas simply can’t match. Every guitar lick echoed with clarity, every cheer felt amplified.
By the end of the night, the room wasn’t just watching the band—it was part of it.
**Final Verdict**
This wasn’t nostalgia. This was a band still hungry, still dangerous, and still completely locked into the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll.
The Black Crowes didn’t just play a show—they reminded Sydney why they matter.
**Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5)**
BLACK CROWES ENMORE THEATRE SHOW 1 SETLIST
1) Bedside Manners
2) Sting Me
3) Do The Parasite!
4) Stare It Cold
5) Movin' On Down The Line
6) Cursed Diamond
7) Ballad In Urgency
8) Wiser Time
9) Hard To Handle
10) Oh! Sweet Nuthin'
11) Soul Singing
12) She Talks To Angels
13) Thorn In My Pride
14) Jealous Again
15) Remedy
Encore:
1) Silver Train
PHOTO GALLERY:
Special thanks to Nicole Hart and Live Nation for getting access to these Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Nominee Giants
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