Alabama Shakes to headline B’ham festival; up for Grammy Sunday

Published 6:15 am Thursday, February 9, 2017

Limestone County’s own Alabama Shakes don’t have any local gigs scheduled, but local fans can cheer the group on Sunday during the annual Grammy Awards.

The group was nominated for Best Rock Performance for “Joe” as performed on the PBS series “Austin City Limits.” The bonus track was available only on international versions of the band’s 2015 album “Sound & Color.”

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Alabama Shakes scored three Grammys at last year’s ceremony, including Best Rock Song (“Don’t Wanna Fight”), Best Rock Performance (“Don’t Wanna Fight”) and Best Alternative Music Album (“Sound & Color”). “Sound & Color” was also a nominee for Album of the Year at last year’s Grammys.

The Grammys will air at 7 p.m. locally on CBS.

Though Alabama Shakes are not scheduled to perform at this year’s ceremony, the group is scheduled to headline Birmingham’s Sloss Music & Arts Festival this summer. Viewed as the Magic City’s predominant music festival, Sloss Fest is scheduled for July 15-16 at Birmingham’s Sloss Furnaces.

Other acts set to appear include veteran jam band Widespread Panic, electronic dance music duo Odesza and country singer Sturgill Simpson. A number of other acts known to indie rock fans are also set to perform. Two-day passes range from $115 to $850 for the “Ultimate Sloss Fest Experience.”

The Birmingham appearance is the only one scheduled for the Alabama Shakes at this time, though the group is set to appear in Mississippi in April. Mississippi State University on Monday announced the group would perform at the school’s amphitheater on Wednesday, April 26. Admission is free.

Three days later, Alabama Shakes will appear at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on Saturday, April 29. Also appearing that day will be Maroon 5, Usher with The Roots and Jon Batiste and Stay Human.

Other upcoming gigs include a performance at Carnegie Hall on March 16 as part of a benefit concert celebrating composer Philip’s Glass’s 80th birthday. Other performers at the show will include Ben Harper, Iggy Pop and Patti Smith.