Live Review: ShoalsFest in Florence, AL, Oct. 11-12, 2025

The brainchild of Jason Isbell, ShoalsFest was intended to bring together musical artists who exude that Muscle Shoals sound and vibe. Established in 2019 in Florence, Alabama, the festival skipped 2020 (for obvious reasons), took place in 2021 and 2022. After another break, it has returned for 2025. Muscle Shoals Sound Studio was founded by the Swampers, a group of session musicians Roger Hawkins, Jimmy Johnson, Barry Beckett, and David Hood (father of Patterson). It was made world famous upon its opening in 1969 with such luminaries as The Rolling Stones, The Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, and more using the studios.

Hood The Younger, along with Jason Isbell were both raised in the area, growing up on the rich musical and cultural history of the Northern Alabama region. Hood formed Adam’s House Cat before moving to Athens, GA and establishing The Drive-By Truckers with Mike Cooley in 1996. Isbell, a one-time member of the Truckers, formed the 400 Unit in 2009 and has released several albums with the band as well as solo work. As the sun set each night, blue lights lit up the trees in McFarland Park.

DAY ONE

Mississippi native Garrison Starr kicked off Day 1 with a lively set. Staring into the sun, Starr showcased her poppy Americana grit with such beauties and “Sit With Me Tonight” and “Bones.” The artist rocked through a quick set of tunes getting the McFarland Park crowd primed for a fantastic ShoalsFest. The Park, on the banks of the Tennessee river nearly under the O’Neal Bridge created a wondrous atmosphere for music lovers who had traveled near and far.

Muscle Shoals legends Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham took the stage to the joy of fans. The duo stopped time with their wonderful set of covers of songs they wrote and played on. Both now in their eighties, the passion and skill remain, with a ton of humor. Through five Penn-penned classic tunes, the pair sounded as fresh as any act from the 60s or 70s. Oldham exhibited his prowess on the keyboard as these octogenarians flew through their songs made famous by Percy Sledge, Aretha Franklin, The Box Tops, and more at FAME Studios in Florence.

ShoalsFest creator Jason Isbell joined Patterson Hood and Chris Tompkins for a performance “in the round.” Three Alabama men. Three guitars. A lot of memories. We all know the history of the Hood-Isbell brotherhood. Patterson Hood created the Drive-By Truckers in the late 90s. Isbell, a decade younger than Hood, contributed songs and his voice on Decoration Day, The Dirty South, and A Blessing and a Curse between 2003-2006. Isbell left the band shortly after “amicably,” although fans later discovered he was forced out due to his heavy drinking and drug use.

The trio took turns doing songs, each completing three or four tunes. Isbell told stories about his friendship with Tompkins dating back to middle school when they had a band together. Even speaking of their love for Jackson Browne, covering many of his songs. The most illuminating connections were between Hood and Isbell, sharing brilliant moments on a few Drive-By Truckers’ songs, including their signature “Heathens.” After a couple of these, Patterson and Jason had big smiles and fist bumped. “That’s a perfect song right there.”

Songwriter Tompkins finished with “Before He Cheats,” made famous Carrie Underwood. Hood wrapped his portion with “Mercy Buckets,” sent out to Rebecca, his “soulmate and beautiful wife.” Singing, “When all your good days keep getting shorter, count on me / When you’re about twenty cents shy of a quarter, count on me.”

Headlining Day 1, Californian Jackson Browne may be seen as the outlier in this Southern-heavy fest, but fit right in with the ShoalsFest vibe. The 77-year-old exhibited a youthful exuberance matching the energy of the crowd. Browne performed solid versions of some of the greatest songs in music history. His “These Days,” from his second release For Everyman in 1973, is a songwriter’s song. Written when Browne was just 16, it speaks of missed opportunities and regret. It’s a beauty.

Browne was firing on all cylinders with “Doctor My Eyes,” “Somebody’s Baby,” “Running on Empty,” and the closer “Take it Easy,” with Isbell joining on guitar. That tune, cowritten with Glen Frey, was a hit for The Eagles. The diverse crowd seemingly consisted of more Baby Boomers on this night. Day 2 had a younger feel supporting a younger set of performers.

DAY TWO

MJ Lenderman hit the stage with his band, The Wind, and damn near stole the weekend. Touring in support of his sixth studio album Manning Fireworks, the group ripped through a powerhouse set. “Not to get ahead of myself, but I think this is gonna be the best day ever.” During the set, a heartbreaking “She’s Leaving You” was performed. He asked the crowd if they were with friends, then said I’ve got a friend who is coming out to sing with us,” and out walked Katie Crutchfield of Waxahatchee to sing the part of Lenderman’s former girlfriend and Wednesday bandmate Karly Hartzman.

This entire fest was a lap steel guitar lover’s dream. Most of the acts featured the instrument which created a rich Americana feel to the songs. There were many musical connections during ShoalsFest. Patterson Hood recently announced his favorite band was Wednesday (with Lenderman); Lenderman played a huge role in Waxahatchee’s most recent release Tigers Blood; on Saturday, Isbell spoke of his friendship with Tompkins dating back to high school, when the two would cover several Jackson Browne songs. It seems that the human connection has come full circle.

Katie Crutchfield is no stranger to Alabama. She was born in Birmingham and recently relocated to Kansas City. Her Waxahatchee fanbase has exploded in the past couple of years, especially after the release of her sixth studio album Tigers Blood early last year. She kicked off her set with “3 Sisters” and wowed fans from that point forward, playing nine from Blood in addition to several more. Lenderman joined her onstage for a few, including their fantastic duet “Right Back To It.”

Sadly missing was drummer Spencer Tweedy, who is allegedly on tour with his old man. In his place was Dawes drummer Griffin Goldsmith who did a more than excellent job. Before playing “Lilacs,” Crutchfield thanked Jason Isbell for having her at the fest, saying, “We were both born in Alabama.” She dedicated the song to him.

Returning on Day 2 to closeout ShoalsFest was Jason Isbell with his 400 Unit. The band ripped into “Crimson and Clay,” from Isbell’s recent solo acoustic release Foxes in the Snow. The band put together a killer set, including a mix of Isbell’s solo past along with highlights from the 400 Unit catalog. “Alabama Pines” was especially moving as fans stood amongst them. Even back in 2011, Isbell wrote of the American freedoms so valuable to so many. “No one gives a damn about / The things I give a damn about / Liberties that we can’t do without / Seem to disappear like ghosts in the air.”

“This Ain’t It,” rocked every soul standing out by the Tennessee River. Isbell’s writing is topnotch, with humor abounding. He queries, “Baby, how’d you end up here / In a Texas town in a wedding gown / With a near beer?” Hood joined the band onstage for the Drive-By Truckers’ song, “Decoration Day.” As the sun set and the coolness blew in from the river, another ShoalsFest came to a close. It’s bigger and better, with hope to continue in the future.

For more information, visit the ShoalsFest website. See the Setlists below, along with the #SetListPlayList of the entire fest in the order in which they were played. Finally, keep scrolling for a new feature, Band Shirts: Who Wore What.

Band Shirts: Who Wore What: Musical festivals are a grand opportunity to people watch. As Day 1 ensued, I started keeping score. Here are the t-shirts in the order I saw them throughout the fest. I did not include shirts from this year’s ShoalsFest artists as there were dozens.