Lynyrd Skynyrd Deliver a Southern Rock Masterclass in Brighton
A 50th anniversary set that celebrated the past and reignited the present
The words Legend and Legendary are often overused, but not when you are describing the band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Their history is well-documented, and they have endured numerous trials and tribulations both as a band and personally. Yet they are still here with us. Tonight was a celebration of their fifty years together.
Before this show, I heard mutterings using words such as Tribute, that there are no original members left, apart from Ricky Medlocke, and he wasn’t on the first album, etc. Yet having watched ninety minutes of pure euphoric Southern Rock and Roll I can confirm there is no tribute here. There is a fabulous legacy and on top of it this band are writing the next chapter, and that chapter will be as relevant as any that has gone before.
That said, there were no songs played tonight written after the air crash that decimated the band. Tonight was purely and simply about that legacy and the great songs this band have written. So, let’s roll the clock back to the seventies.
Opening with Workin’ for MCA, this is a shout out to their original record label and a celebration of that signing.
What’s Your Name, That Smell and I know A Little, alltaken from the Street Survivor’s album follow rapidly after. I know A Little featuring some funky boogie and slide guitar from the elder statesman Rickey Medlocke.
As lead singer, Johnny Van Zant announced ‘Skynyrd’s in the house’ and everyone knew it.
The set played was just joyous, song after song created a party atmosphere, I Know A Little, Saturday Night Special, Down South Jukin’. They came and went, and we sang and boogied on down to them. Singing our hearts out and rockin’ the night away. This was just the most perfect southern party, and everyone knew it if there is a band who specialise in that foot tappin’ boogie then its Skynyrd.
Yet tonight is not just about the music, which is exceptional. The band still has that ole swagger. Johnny Van Zant prowls the stage wearing his heart on his sleeve as a badge of pride. There’s a lot of emotion flying around here tonight as well, with the band dedicating Tuesday’s Gone to Gary Rossington, the latest of the original band to move on over to the other side.
For Simple Man the audience phones lit up the night, creating a waving sea of light, before Gimme Three Steps, brought the humour and fun back to proceedings. Medlocke, with a twinkle in his eye, launched proceedings up another level as Dave Colwell from Bad Company joined the band on stage for a storming version of J.J. Cale’s Call Me The Breeze.
Yet everyone was still waiting for two more songs. There were no surprises. We all knew what was coming as the band ended the set, with the familiar picked guitar of Sweet Home Alabama ringing out and the audience in full-throated voice sang out every word.
Then they were back for the encore and probably one of the greatest songs ever written, as the tinkling keys of the piano intro to Freebird saw arms raised in admiration, glorifying in the band’s finest moment. Not only is this song a party for the faithful, it’s also a celebration of the band, not just now but for those who have passed on. With the names of the departed flashed up on the screen amidst a sea of candles, and then the guitars take hold and we’re off on the greatest musical rollercoaster ride ever. Breathless, exhausting……just wow.
One thing is certain, Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2025 are no tribute band, and they have no intention of giving up their crown or throne as the Kings of rock and roll. The heart, soul and fire are still there, burning brightly. This is a flame that can’t be put out. The legacy lives on.
Set List
- Workin’ For MCA
- What’s Your Name
- That Smell
- I Know a Little
- Saturday Night Special
- Down South Jukin’
- Gimme Back My Bullets
- Cry for the Bad Man
- The Needle and the Spoon
- Tuesday’s Gone
- Simple Man
- Gimme Three Steps
- Call Me the Breeze (J.J. Cale cover) (With Dave “Bucket” Colwell)
- Sweet Home Alabama
Encore:
- Free Bird
Tonight’s show was always going to be special. Two great Southern Rock and Roll bands, The Masters and the new kids on the block. Well, perhaps new kids is a stretch too far. Blackberry Smoke have been in existence since 2001, so they are approaching their quarter of a century. But compared to Skynyrd…well, let’s say there’s still a great deal of music to be written and played.
Blackberry Smoke were always going to be a popular addition to this bill, and there were many in attendance for their set as for the headliners.
Also, unlike many support sets, they were not time-limited to half an hour or so but played for a full hour, enabling them to really show what they are about, and they went about it in style.
Opening with Six Ways to Sunday from 2014’s The Whipoorwill album, they set a very high bar and standard for the night. This is just a great heads down rocker and shows how the new era of country rockers can still more than match it with the masters. If there was a tune to get you onto your feet and dancing, then this was it.
Blackberry Smoke have a superb back catalogue of material to call from, and whatever they played came over as a great party celebration. They were the perfect warm-up for Skynyrd.
Pretty Little Lie, Hey Delilah, had the audience on their feet and singing along. These tunes are the perfect mixture of US country and good ole rock ‘n’ roll. The old Hammond sound brought out of the keys in Hey Delilah really rolled the clock back.
Old Scarecrow saw the band raise the ante by making some observations regarding the use of social media, which was well regarded by the audience before Run Away From It All saw the triple-pronged guitar attack kick in again to great effect.
A cheeky cover of Little Feat’s Willin’ changed proceedings yet was well received with many in the audience being aware of the original, and it’s fair to say that Blackberry Smoke clearly come from the same groove as the Feat.
The set was up with an extended Ain’t Much Left Of Me which incorporated a tasty snip of Led Zeppelin’s When The Levee Breaks. This was a complete tour de force, and the Smoke had the Brighton Centre bouncing from side to side. Certainly, they were warmed up for the main act but how long till Blackberry Smoke return as headliners in their own right. On this performance, I would say, not long.
WORDS: ADRIAN STONLEY PHOTOS: ROBERT SUTTON
Set List
- Six Ways to Sunday
- Hammer and the Nail
- Good One Comin’ On
- Pretty Little Lie
- Hey Delilah
- Waiting for the Thunder
- Sleeping Dogs (With “Midnight Special” interlude)
- Old Scarecrow
- Run Away From It All
- One Horse Town
- Willin’ (Little Feat cover)
- Ain’t Much Left of Me (With “When the Levee Breaks” interlude)
Full Gallery
