With the Red Sox battling the Yankees across the street at Fenway, MGM Music Hall still managed to sell out for Alabama Shakes’ long-awaited reunion tour stop on Sunday night. That fact alone speaks volumes: fans had been waiting since 2018 to hear Brittany Howard and company live again, and the moment finally arrived with a thunderclap.

A funky warm-up

The evening kicked off with The Budos Band, a horn-heavy jam outfit that knows how to get a room moving without saying a word. No vocals were needed, the grooves did the talking. Bassist Daniel Foder in particular danced circles around the horn section while locking down the rhythm. Their set was a reminder of how much fun pure, unfiltered musicianship can be, setting the tone for what was to come.

A stage like a forest, a voice like thunder

When the house lights dropped and the stage revealed itself, draped in foliage, haze curling like early morning fog, the energy kicked into another gear. Then Brittany Howard walked out, draped in a massive sparkly white gown. Her guitar slung over her shoulder, Howard wasted no time reminding everyone why Alabama Shakes remain one of the live music’s most entertaining acts.

From the opening “Dunes” through the emotional weight of “This Feeling” and the crowd-unifying power of “Hold On,” the band played with both precision and pure joy. You could tell they missed their time apart. The setlist was a fan’s dream, pulling deep from their two beloved albums while making space for rarities like “Joe” and “Another Life.”

The atmosphere felt celebratory but also urgent. This wasn’t just another tour, but a statement: Alabama Shakes are back, and they’re not interested in easing into it. By the time the kaleidoscopic textures of “Sound & Color” gave way to the signature guitar riff of “Don’t Wanna Fight,” the audience was completely under Howard’s spell.

Closing with fire

The encore proved just as powerful. “Drive By Baby” and “American Dream” kept the momentum soaring, but it was “Always Alright” – a fan favorite made famous on the Silver Linings Playbook soundtrack – that sealed the night with a unifying singalong.

It may have only been night one of a two-night Boston run, but for those in the building Sunday, the takeaway was clear: Alabama Shakes’ return is one of the most important reunions in recent memory. The Sox may be fighting for a playoff spot, but across the street, Alabama Shakes were already playing like champions.

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