Concert Review: The Black Crowes, Morton Amphitheater, Riverside, MO (KC) 7/30/26 – Southern Hospitality Tour

*Photo of Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes taken by your intrepid blogger last night

The Black Crowes, along with co-headliners Whiskey Myers, brought their Southern Hospitality Tour to Kansas City’s brand new Morton Amphitheater over in Riverside, Mo last night and I can’t tell you how happy I was to be there. I can’t believe it’d been over 16 months since I’d been to a concert (Jack White, No Name tour, 3/25). What can I say, I had to pay for a wedding last year.

It was a month ago that the Rock Chick mentioned she wanted to go and see the Crowes. I was surprised because I’d mentioned it to her when it was announced and she seemed disinterested. I should have known better. She’s been a fan since she saw the Crowes open for Aerosmith in July of ’90. She says the Crowes were the better band that day. Of course, the Crowes had just released their spectacular debut album, Shake Your Money Maker. 

And just like that I found myself shoulder to shoulder with a bunch of sweaty (it was hot/humid) like minded rockers, swaying in the dark. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention what a fabulous venue Morton Amphitheater is. It was my first time out there. It’s covered, so the sound is better and has fabulous amenities. I’d go see any band out there.

After an hour and twenty minute set of solid southern rock by Whiskey Myers – I have to admit, I knew nothing about them going in – that was just okay, every song sounded the same except for a couple of great acoustic based numbers, The Crowes’ crew began to set up the stage.

The stage is set up to look like a junkyard. They had a cartoon drawing of a junkyard dog, complete with a skull & crossbones in its mouth as a back drop. There were old rusted barrels scattered around and a makeshift shack to the side. The drum riser was fronted by the rusted out grill & headlights of an old car.

It was a cool vibe. Once the show started, there was an image of a large scrap sculpture of a Crow onscreen that was pretty cool as well. It fit the theme, thrashy/trashy rock n roll. The giant screen behind the band had lots of cool, trippy images that changed per song.

It was approximately 9:12 pm last night when the Crowes at last took the stage: Chris Robinson (vocals), Rich Robinson (guitar/vocals), Nico Bereciartúa (guitar & very cool hair), Cully Symington (drums & great Big Star t-shirt), Erik Deutsch (keyboards), and Mark “Muddy” Dutton (bass).

The band also had two really good female back up singers who added great harmonies and counter vocals all night long. Never underestimate good back up signers.

With a black, sleeves-cut-off t-shirt, necklaces and brown velvet pants Chris Robinson looked and danced around like your coolest uncle, really into the music at the family reunion BBQ. It was great. I might have recommended a more breathable fabric for those trousers… it was humid out.

The band came out and tore into new song “Profane Prophecy,” which was one of the two first singles from their new album A Pound Of Feathers. I was thrilled, it’s a crunchy rock song, and I’m one of the few guys in the crowd who wants to hear “the new stuff” from a band. Alas, for me anyway, that was to be the only selection from that album.

In the interest of full disclosure, I’m one of those guys who checks the setlists of previous shows of a band I’m seeing on tour. I was impressed that the Crowes seemed to mix up their setlist every night. They had a basic framework, certain songs they always played and perhaps feel they have to play, but those songs were mixed in with deeper tracks.

I’m the first guy in the crowd to call for deeper cuts at a concert. I don’t want rote hits all night, challenge me. I’m a Crowes fanatic, so I knew their catalog backward and forward… well, except maybe Lions, I never connected with that one. But you just know the bulk of the crowd aren’t that knowledgeable about those deeper tracks.

I have to tell you last night was really dominated by deep tracks. Frankly, there were a few moments when I think they lost the crowd a little bit. When they launched into “No Use Lying” from the aforementioned Lions, I could feel the air come out of the crowd. People sat down… at a Crowes show? Most egregiously, for me, the setlist last night omitted “She Talks To Angels,” and worse, “Sting Me.” They’d played those songs every night of the tour prior.

I’m still feeling a twinge of disappointment this morning over those two songs. And yet, I still thought it was a great show. After “Profane Prophecy,” they launched into “Thick And Thin” from their debut and it was complete with a rollicking piano from Deutsch. (I do miss Weird Eddie Harsch). They went deep track again with “Black Moon Creeping” from Southern Harmony (which is the first tour I saw them on!). 

After a great “Jealous Again,” their first “hit” they shot themselves in the foot with the heavy, “No Use Lying.” Then came the most transcendent part of the evening when they played “Wiser Time” from Amorica. The twisting, countrified guitars – Robinson and Bereciartúa play like Richards/Woods, winding together. It was brilliant.

That led to a great “Hard To Handle.” Robinson said after, “How do you top a song by the greatest soul singer, ever? Well, you do some soul singing.” And with that they launched into the one track I do know from Lions, “Soul Singing.” Great work by the back up singers on that one as well.

At that point they ripped into the wonderful “Sometimes Salvation.” I love that song, but I felt that “Sting Me” itch wasn’t being scratched. From there they brought it home. Rich took the mic for a wonderful Velvet Underground cover, “Oh, Sweet Nuthin’.” The band ripped that one up, great guitar. And I have to say Rich has a wonderful singing voice as well.

At that point I’m still hoping for “She Talks To Angels,” but they were off to the races. Chris returned to the stage for a jammed out “Thorn In My Pride,” which again, I love, but I had seen they’d also been doing “Bad Luck, Blue Eyes, Goodbye,” but now I’m just sounding greedy and bitchy. “Thorn” did feature a great harmonica solo from Chris… he oughta do that more often!

The last three tracks of the main set tore the roof off the place: “Wanting And Waiting” from the great Happiness Bastards (2024) that the Rock Chick digs. And then a great “Twice As Hard” which led to “Remedy,” my all time favorite Crowes tune. The crowd was completely reengaged for that stretch of songs.

For the encore, when they came out a fan held up a sign requesting “Descending.” Chris said, “We don’t have that one for you tonight,” and then the band launched into a fabulous Stones’ cover “Loving Cup.” I really dig that the Crowes play a different cover song each night for the encore. It probably keeps things fresh and fun.

Overall, for me it was a great concert and I should say return to concerts for me. While I have some disappointments about last night’s particular setlist, if you’re seeing these guys have no fear, they change the setlist every night, which is cool when you think about it. I think I’m safe to say, “Your mileage may vary.”

I know I’m in that post-concert glow today. I’m just sitting here listening to the Crowes with visions of last night dancing through my head. I have to say Chris Robinson still sounds fabulous and dances the way he did when the Rock Chick and I first heard the band. Rich Robinson may be sporting a gray beard these days, but his guitar playing is still as muscular as ever.

If you’re out there in the path of the Southern Hospitality Tour, buy the ticket see the show. It’s one groovy night of classic rock n roll, made fresh and wonderful by this great, great band,

Cheers!