It was one of those Chicago summer afternoons where the heat doesn’t just sit on your skin—it seeps into your bones. By the time I pushed my way toward the stage for Alabama Shakes, Grant Park felt like a furnace. Everyone around me was glistening, fanning themselves with anything they could find, and chugging warm bottles of water. But the buzz was unmistakable. You could tell people were ready to endure the heat for something special.
When Brittany Howard and the rest of the Shakes finally emerged, a cheer rippled across the field like a sudden breeze. If we were going to bake in the sun, at least we were doing it with one of the most electrifying live bands of the decade.
Setlist
Here’s exactly what Alabama Shakes played that afternoon:
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Future People
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Hang Loose
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Always Alright
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Miss You
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Heartbreaker
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You Ain’t Alone
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Rise to the Sun
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I Ain’t the Same
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The Greatest
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Dunes
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Don’t Wanna Fight
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Over My Head
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Gimme All Your Love
The Opening: Heat Meets Groove
The show kicked off with “Future People,” a perfect mission statement for where the band was heading in 2015. The Sound & Color track set an immediate tone: psychedelic textures, spacey keys, and Brittany’s voice cutting through the heavy air like a laser. Even with the sun baking us, the sound felt cool and modern, a sonic blast of fresh air.
Without a pause they dove into “Hang Loose,” a crowd favorite from Boys & Girls. The familiar swampy riff loosened the audience up. People started clapping along despite the oppressive temperature. Brittany leaned into the mic with a grin that seemed to say, Yeah, we’re hot too, but let’s do this. The groove was tight and earthy, a reminder of the band’s Muscle Shoals roots.
Then came “Always Alright,” and you could feel a collective spark. This is one of those songs that works like a shot of adrenaline, and Brittany’s guitar slashes were pure gasoline. Her gritty delivery had people jumping despite the heat—a testament to how commanding she can be even when everyone’s energy is drained.
Early Highlights: Soul and Sweat
“Miss You” brought the first real change in tempo, a slow-burner that allowed Brittany to stretch her vocals into pure soul territory. Her voice is a living instrument—growls one second, angelic falsetto the next. Live, that dynamic becomes almost physical; you feel each note in your chest.
From there, the band dipped into “Heartbreaker,” a bluesy wail that had me closing my eyes to take in every bend of the guitar. The interplay between Brittany and guitarist Heath Fogg was hypnotic. They traded licks like they were finishing each other’s sentences.
When they slid into “You Ain’t Alone,” the crowd collectively exhaled. It’s a song of vulnerability and yearning, and Brittany delivered it with aching honesty. People swayed, some with eyes closed, letting the melody wash over them. Even with sweat dripping down my back, I got chills.
Mid-Set Surge
The band brought the energy back with “Rise to the Sun,” a track that feels tailor-made for an open-air festival. Its uplifting chorus and soaring guitar lines felt like a rallying cry against the oppressive heat. Everyone around me was singing along, fists in the air, finding strength in the music.
Next up was “I Ain’t the Same,” a gritty rocker that let the rhythm section flex. Bassist Zac Cockrell and drummer Steve Johnson locked into a deep pocket, driving the song forward like a freight train. The crowd responded with dancing—well, as much as you can dance when the ground itself feels like it’s sweating.
Then came “The Greatest,” one of the rowdiest moments of the day. It’s a short, punchy burst of punk-soul energy, and it lit a fire under the audience. Brittany tore into her guitar with ferocity, and the band followed her lead like a well-oiled machine. Even the security guards were nodding along.
“Dunes” offered a brief breather, but it wasn’t a comedown. Its shimmering textures and airy vocals created a dreamlike atmosphere, contrasting beautifully with the raw power of the previous songs. It was the kind of moment that makes a festival set feel like a journey rather than just a string of hits.
The Big Finish
If the early part of the set showcased the band’s versatility, the closing stretch proved why Alabama Shakes were one of the most exciting live acts of the era.
“Don’t Wanna Fight,” the breakout single from Sound & Color, landed with the force of a revelation. The crowd erupted as soon as the first funky riff hit. Brittany’s falsetto on the chorus was otherworldly, soaring above the thick heat and open sky. You could feel the entire field moving as one, hips swaying and heads bobbing. It was easily one of the most electrifying performances of the weekend.
After that high, “Over My Head” brought a moment of introspection. The song’s layered harmonies and slow build created a hypnotic tension. Brittany’s vocal runs felt almost spiritual, like she was channeling something bigger than the festival itself. People around me were standing still, mesmerized.
They closed with “Gimme All Your Love,” and it was a knockout. The song is a masterclass in dynamics—starting soft and pleading before exploding into a full-throttle plea. Brittany held nothing back, bending her guitar and her voice to their limits. When the final note rang out, the crowd roared in appreciation, a wall of cheers that seemed to stretch across the park.
Performance and Presence
Brittany Howard is simply a force of nature. Her guitar playing is raw yet precise, her stage presence magnetic without ever feeling forced. She doesn’t rely on theatrics; she lets the music and her voice do the work. Watching her command a festival crowd under brutal conditions was awe-inspiring.
The rest of the band deserves equal credit. Heath Fogg’s guitar work provided the perfect counterpoint to Brittany’s fiery leads. Zac Cockrell’s bass anchored every groove with a warm, fat tone, while Steve Johnson’s drumming was both muscular and nuanced. Touring keyboardist Ben Tanner added subtle textures that gave the Sound & Color tracks their signature atmosphere.
Despite the heat—and it really was punishing—the band never seemed to flag. They played with the kind of urgency that makes you forget your own discomfort. Every member looked locked in, exchanging glances and smiles as if to say, Yeah, we’ve got this.
The Crowd
Festival audiences can be fickle, especially in the middle of a sweltering afternoon, but Alabama Shakes had Grant Park eating out of their hands. People who might have wandered in just to catch a song or two ended up staying for the entire set. Strangers shared water bottles, fans hoisted kids onto their shoulders, and everyone seemed united by the sheer force of the music.
One of my favorite moments came during “You Ain’t Alone.” I turned around and saw a couple—maybe in their fifties—holding hands and singing every word to each other. A few feet away, a group of teenagers who looked like they’d just discovered the band were doing the same. That kind of cross-generational connection is rare, and it speaks to the universal pull of Alabama Shakes’ sound.
Sound and Atmosphere
Outdoor festivals are notorious for muddy mixes, but the sound engineers nailed it. Brittany’s vocals were crystal clear, the guitars rang with just the right amount of grit, and the rhythm section punched through without overpowering. Even standing a good distance from the stage, I could pick out individual guitar licks and keyboard flourishes.
The oppressive heat added a strange kind of intimacy. Everyone was sweating together, sharing the same discomfort, which made the moments of collective release—like the explosive chorus of “Don’t Wanna Fight”—feel even more cathartic. It was as if the music itself was a relief, a temporary escape from the sun’s relentless glare.
Personal Reflections
I’ve seen a lot of festival sets where the heat drains both the performers and the crowd, but this show felt like a triumph over the elements. Alabama Shakes didn’t just endure the conditions; they turned them into part of the narrative. The sweat on Brittany’s brow, the shimmering air above the crowd, the way the band pushed through without compromise—it all added to the sense that we were witnessing something real and unfiltered.
Walking away after the final notes of “Gimme All Your Love,” I felt both exhausted and exhilarated. My shirt was soaked, my throat dry, but my mind was buzzing. I kept replaying moments: the feral scream in “Heartbreaker,” the quiet ache of “Over My Head,” the ecstatic sing-along of “Rise to the Sun.” It was one of those sets that lingers long after the festival dust settles.
Final Thoughts
Alabama Shakes at Lollapalooza 2015 wasn’t just a concert—it was a statement. It showed a band at the height of its powers, bridging the raw blues-rock of Boys & Girls with the more adventurous textures of Sound & Color. They delivered a set that was soulful, intense, and unflinchingly human, even as the sun tried to cook us alive.
If you were there, you know. If you weren’t, trust me: this was one of those rare festival moments where everything—despite the heat, despite the crowds—aligned. Alabama Shakes gave Grant Park all their love, and we gave it right back.