On This Day in History

Written By Braddon S. Williams aka “The Concert Critic”

On this date in history, 8/1/2021, The Black Crowes and Dirty Honey brought an old school rock show full of bluesy swagger to Deer Creek (aka Ruoff Music Center) in Noblesville, IN. On an evening of near-perfect summertime Midwest weather, many of us witnessed our first outdoor concert since the pandemic shut live music down in 2020. Dirty Honey wasted no time in getting the music starved audience up and moving to their bare bones, ‘70’s influenced party approach. With a classic drums, bass, guitar, and lead vocalist template, the Los Angeles based band played with a seasoned assurance and confidence not often found in a group that has barely been together for four years. In particular, Marc Labelle’s voice was the perfect instrument for Dirty Honey’s vintage style. They delivered a scorching take on Aerosmith’s Last Child early in their set as a reminder that they are fully aware of the tradition they are helping to keep alive. These guys are young and hungry, and if they continue to refine their attack, I expect to be hearing great things from them for years to come. Big respect for the headliners for including them in this perfect pairing of dynamic bands. The Black Crowes began their show with a complete run through of their debut album, Shake Your Money Maker, and continued on with a number of fan favorites, including Thorn In My Pride, Wiser Time, Soul Singing, and Remedy. Although singer Chris Robinson and his brother Rich (guitar) are the only original Crowes currently in the band, the musicians on stage faithfully recreated the magical soulful vibe that has always been The Black Crowes’ calling card. Kudos to the sound and light crews, as both bands sounded and looked phenomenal on the stage. It is difficult to put into words how amazing it felt to be back in a live music outdoor venue, but more specifically it fills me with joy that there are young bands like Dirty Honey carrying on the tradition of guitar driven, blues infused, soul drenched, hard rocking, good time music that so many of us hold near and dear in our hearts. I salute The Black Crowes for settling their differences and reuniting to continue their great legacy. I saw them for the first time in 1995 and they still display the passion and the fire that lives eternally in all the best music.