Concert Review: Blackberry Smoke (Red Hat Amphitheater)

BY MAUI CABRAL

Rainy day? Go to an outdoor show! I love when it rains in Raleigh... Well, sometimes. Sure, people start driving like they’ve forgotten how, but there’s something about live music in the rain that just hits different. So, rain jacket in hand, camera ready, let’s shoot a concert in the rain!

Shannon McNally

With one of the sweetest southern voices you’ll ever hear, Shannon’s set felt like a warm cup of coffee on a gray day. Her blend of Americana, folk, and country SOUL paired with her smooth guitar work made for the perfect “rainy day” playlist. You could tell the crowd appreciated every note. Quick intermission for a Gatorade & mozzarella stick break (essential fuel, obviously), then it was time to get ready for the next act.

Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs

Let me start by saying I was obsessed with Mike’s hat. 10/10. Style points and guitar chops. Campbell, best known as the longtime lead guitarist for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, brings that same rock ‘n’ roll swagger with The Dirty Knobs. The moment they hit the stage, the gloomy day started to fade. The music felt warm, gritty, and timeless. Honestly, the performance was just as mesmerizing as that hat. One more intermission while the crew prepped the stage for the headliners.

Blackberry Smoke

Hailing from Atlanta, this southern rock powerhouse has been blending country, blues, and rock since the early 2000s. The smoke machines fired up, the house lights dropped, and the band launched into a set that felt equal parts nostalgic and electric. They tore through fan favorites with that signature swagger, and just when we thought the night was over, every performer from earlier came back out for a huge, feel-good jam session.

Rain? What rain? Raleigh, maybe concerts and rainy nights aren’t such a bad mix after all!.

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JOSH "MAUI" CABRAL

Hey! I'm Maui. Originally from Queens, New York, now making Raleigh, NC my new home. I'm a touring photographer and Nomadic Motorcycle Rider, obsessed with seeing the world through different lenses!

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