Black Stone Cherry performing during the Dance, Kid, Dance Act II Tour at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas on May 22, 2026, with Chris Robertson, Ben Wells, John Fred Young, and Steve Jewell Jr.. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
The cavernous expanse of the Moody Center filled with a thick, anticipation-heavy energy as rock enthusiasts gathered to witness a masterclass in modern Southern hard rock. Black Stone Cherry, a band that has spent more than two decades flying the flag for heavy, blues-infused riffs, brought their relentless touring machine to the heart of Texas. For the fans who appreciate the unvarnished grit of a real rock band, seeing them step onto a massive arena stage is a vindication of a career built entirely on sweat, loyalty, and a refusal to compromise their roots. They have long been a force of nature in Europe and smaller theater circuits, but when they scale up their wall of sound for a room of this size, it becomes a powerful reminder of how big a four-piece rock outfit can feel.
The biography of the band is a rare story of absolute consistency in an industry known for its revolving doors. Hailing from Edmonton, Kentucky, the group originally came together at the start of the two thousands, practicing in a secluded rehearsal space on a farm owned by the family of drummer John Fred Young. Along with vocalist and lead guitarist Chris Robertson and rhythm guitarist Ben Wells, this core lineup spent their formative years channeling the spirits of classic Southern rock and marrying them to the aggressive, heavy-alternating rhythms of post-grunge. For nearly twenty years, that original four-piece remained completely unchanged until bassist Jon Lawhon departed the ranks. The transition could have derailed a lesser band, but the addition of longtime friend Steve Jewell on bass seamlessly preserved the rhythmic engine. Together, they have crafted a massive catalog of anthems that focus on blue-collar pride, personal resilience, and the comforting gravity of home, creating a deep emotional shorthand with an incredibly loyal global fanbase.
Stepping into the arena on this current run, the fans were immediately greeted by an incredibly sharp, streamlined stage production that favored raw performance power over unnecessary theatrical distractions. While the band is occupying a supporting slot on a heavy hitting joint package rather than a full evening of headlining deep cuts, they maximize every square inch of their limited time. The second the opening notes of Me and Mary Jane or the crushing grooves of Blame It on the Boom Boom thundered through the arena, the floor area exploded into a sea of pumping fists. Chris Robertson’s vocal delivery was a specific focal point of admiration, his soulful, smoky baritone cutting through the thick instrumentation with an effortless power that sounds completely true to their studio recordings. Next to him, Ben Wells moved with a manic, spinning energy, frequently approaching the edge of the stage to hype up the general admission pit while tossing out blistering, melodic solos that gave the older tracks a fresh bite.
From the fans perspective, the performance functioned as a masterclass in rhythm section synergy. John Fred Young behind the kit remains an absolute spectacle to watch, his hyper-athletic, swinging style and flailing hair driving the tempos at a punishing pace while Steve Jewell locks down the low end with a deep, rumbling precision. The band possesses a rare kind of onstage chemistry that can only be forged through thousands of hours spent together on the road, resulting in subtle jams and transitions that feel completely organic. The setlist was a tightly packed journey that managed to honor the high-octane tracks that built their radio legacy while still flashing the deep blues-rock credentials that make their live sets feel so dangerously spontaneous.
Critically speaking, adapting a raw club-and-theater act to a massive concrete space like the Moody Center can occasionally lead to minor sonic trade-offs. During the fastest, most down-tuned segments of their heaviest tracks, the arena’s vast acoustics caused a slight low-end distortion, with the bass frequencies briefly threatening to swallow the finer nuances of the twin-guitar harmonies in the back rows of the upper tier. Additionally, because the tight scheduling of a major tour requires a shorter, punchier presentation, there was almost no room for the extended, improvisational southern jams or the casual crowd banter that usually gives a Black Stone Cherry show its trademark front-porch intimacy.
However, these minor structural complaints did absolutely nothing to dull the sheer impact of the performance. The undeniable high point of the set arrived when the heavy, soulful opening chords of Lonely Train echoed across the room, causing the standing crowd to erupt in a unified chorus. The fans left the floor visibly exhausted and buzzing with adrenaline, holding newly purchased shirts and talking about the undeniable power of a real guitar band. Black Stone Cherry proved once again that their long-term survival is no fluke; it is the natural result of an ensemble that knows exactly how to project massive, stadium-sized energy without losing a single drop of the authentic Kentucky grit that brought the fans through the doors in the first place.
Fan reviews:Setlist for the show at the Moody Center
The live sound this band produces is absolutely incredible, and they completely blew up the stage with their performance. I have attended over 300 concerts since I was a teenager in the eighties, seeing massive legends like Deep Purple, the Rolling Stones, and Rush, and I can honestly say these guys sound just as good live. The lead singer has a phenomenal voice that seamlessly blends blues, rock, and country tones, keeping their live audio so tight and impressive.
The overall energy from start to finish was amazing and kept me on my toes for the entire show. They put on a killer, high-voltage performance every single time they play, and their consistency is exactly why they are the best Southern rock band touring today. If you have never experienced them live, they are an absolute bucket-list band that always delivers, and you definitely will not be disappointed.
The entire lineup was structured perfectly, turning the whole night into a massive party from beginning to end. Seeing the show kick off with a shocking opening set, followed by a fantastic group like Them Dirty Roses, made for a phenomenal double bonus of a concert combo. I only wish they would expand their tour routing to play some more venues in neighboring states like Indiana so I could catch this specific packaging again.
The experience at the venue was top-notch all around, thanks to a fun crowd and a wonderful staff of helpful bartenders keeping everything running smoothly. When I first saw this triple-bill lineup announced, I instantly ordered a six-pack of tickets to bring a bunch of my friends along for the ride. It was the first time some of us had ever seen these musicians live, and it turned into a grade A evening that left everyone wanting to go back.
- Me and Mary Jane
- Again
- Stay
- Celebrate
- Deep
- White Trash Millionaire
- Lonely Train
Black Stone Cherry shared the stage with Shinedown and Black Stone Cherry at the Moody Center. They continue across the United States with the last stop at the GIANT Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania on June 6, 2026.
Black Stone Cherry
web | facebook | x | instagram
