Blackberry Smoke brings southern rock fire to Kansas City

Sunday evenings may be an evening of rest for some, but on March 22nd, Uptown Theater was uproarious for The Band Trippp and Blackberry Smoke.

Due to a typo on all websites and tickets, the doors opened 30 minutes earlier than planned. Instead of making everyone wait for over an hour, the bands decided to make an exception and start the evening 30 minutes ahead of what they originally thought was going to be scheduled.

For the Spring portion of Blackberry Smoke’s full tour, they have joined forces with The Band Trippp, comprised of triplets Treyson, JD, and Chaz Stafford from Jonesboro, Arkansas. The Band Trippp is rooted on the intersection of Southern country and gritty blues rock. You can hear Memphis in the rhythm, bluegrass in the phrasing, and Southern rock keep it all anchored together. The Band Trippp made their Grand Ole Opry debut in 2022, and have only been gaining their own following since.

Blackberry Smoke walked on stage with smiles from ear to ear. It felt like a family reunion because I have worked with them every time they’ve traveled through Kansas City since I became a photographer. Opening with “Six Ways to Sunday” wasn’t explosive so much as it was grounding. From the first note strummed by the guitar, the whole place forgot what was outside those four walls. Blackberry Smoke doesn’t demand attention but naturally draws it, and you could feel that quiet agreement throughout the night.

Not a single song, standout solo, or single moment felt like anything other than a gathering of old friends. The set unfolded at its own pace, in its own way, with anticipation of what was playing next because we all know the setlist changes every show. Kansas City didn’t just get a show, we got to come together to celebrate and let go.

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Setlist:
Good One Coming On
Workin’ for a Workin’ Man
Hammer and the Nail
Testify
Dig a Hole
Till the Wheels Fall Off
Living in the Song
Hey Delilah
Sure Was Good
Waiting for the Thunder
Sleeping Dogs (With “Come Together” interlude)
Azalea
Everybody Knows She’s Mine
Too High
Ain’t Got the Blues
Run Away From It All
One Horse Town
Freedom Song

Encore:
Poison Whiskey (Lynyrd Skynyrd cover)
Ain’t Much Left of Me

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