Live Review: ShoalsFest at McFarland Park in Florence, AL October 3-4, 2026

Approaching the fifth ShoalsFest weekend, the weather gods were threatening. Many took to social media to hawk tickets, some even offering them for free as the forecast showed heavy rain and thunderstorms ahead. But as the event neared, it appeared Jason Isbell’s fest would be a mostly dry affair. And it was. Mild and breezy weather was on the menu for the entirety of the festival.

Attending my second ShoalsFest in as many years (check out what I heard from last year), I was surprised there wasn’t another big-time band headlining one of the nights. Last year, Jackson Browne headed up night one. This year, Isbell and his 400 Unit knocked out both Saturday and Sunday slots. But my surprise turned to excitement as both nights were tremendous, albeit possessing two different moods.

I continued my ShoalsFest tradition of keeping score of every concert shirt I spotted. Just a few surprises seeing bands represented who would never be involved in this fest. Check out myBand Shirts: Who Wore What list at the bottom.

DAY ONE

A cool breeze coming off the Tennessee River relaxed fans as S.G. Goodman took to the stage. The folk singer-songwriter, hailing from Kentucky, is supporting her third studio album Planting by the Signs. It was a solid set, with a vibe born for ShoalsFest. She performed some of her well-known tunes including. “Satellite,” “Space and Time,” and the new Butthole Surfers’ cover “Pepper.” She and her band also covered “I Lost It,” made famous by Lucinda Williams. Songs such as “Heat Lightning” prove the artist and her band really know how to kick out the jams. Click here for more on Goodman.

Nineteen years of waiting finally paid off for fans of the mid-aughts Drive-By Truckers, as they played their first full set with former member Isbell, rocking through their 2003 classic Decoration Day. It was a reunion worthy of the wait. After the low-key opener “The Deeper In,” a caterwauling Patterson Hood yelped, “Y’all ready, motherfuckers!” (not a question, but a challenge), and they busted out “Sink Hole.” Leaders Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley settled into their roles like it was 1998 all over again.

The band powered through the entirety of their fifth studio album, what many fans and critics believe to be their best. Their first with Isbell, then a young 24 years old, Decoration Day holds up as one of the best releases of that decade. For Isbell’s part – besides bringing wicked guitar skills – he is also a top-notch singer and songwriter, able to connect with the everyman. His five contributions to the album include the title track, “Danko/Manuel,” and the brilliant “Outfit.”

The band was fired up, and the fans followed suit. This was a celebration. Closing with the sobering “A World of Hurt,” the Truckers cemented themselves as the epitome of Southern rock, and one of America’s best live bands. For tour and release information, visit the DBT website.

Isbell and his 400 Unit continued with the energy which had been building all day. The set was solo-heavy, showcasing his work outside of the Unit. Maybe a bit more subdued than the Sunday night show, this evening’s set underscored Isbell’s clean, clear, and excellent voice. It cut through the cool Alabama night like a dream. The band released its last studio album Weathervanes three years back, so fans are eager for new tunes. But there was no shortage of terrific music tonight.

The band has been noticeably evolving over the past few years, with more backing vocals/harmonizing, keyboardist Derry de Borja (formerly of Son Volt) adding magical flourishes to some songs. Finally, guitar slinger Sadler Vaden (formerly of Drivin’ N Cryin’) amping up every rock song. A greater sense of community within the group is evident. These people seem to genuinely like each other. Bassist Anna Butterss and local legend Chad Gamble form the solid rhythm section, while Will Johnson adds guitar and percussion.

The beautiful “Alabama Pines” became the night’s perfect song, as fans sang along surrounded by those very trees. Isbell is proud of growing up in the area, and informed the crowd that his parents were in attendance. I wonder if he stayed in his old room?

After the final song, Isbell’s story of sobriety, “Cover Me Up,” the band exited stage right. The encore included a brilliant rendition of “Ride to Robert’s” featuring Isbell and Vaden on guitars alone on the stage. Isbell called up Hood and Cooley to the stage as the collective rocketed through the Neil Young call to arms “Rockin’ in the Free World.” It was a four-guitar rock assault on our senses, and none of the political gravitas of the song was spared. Singing of “…the warning sign on the road ahead,” the message was sent: VOTE.

DAY TWO

Georgia native Willow Avalon opened the Sunday set with her brand of country twang, playing songs from her new release Pink Pocket Pistol. From that album comes the duet “Cardinal Sin,” featuring Isbell. He took to the stage to perform the song with her. Check out Avalon’s music and tour dates here.

Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, in the midst of a solo tour promoting his colossal three-disc solo release Twilight Override, put on an exceptional performance. While many in the crowd may have been looking for a back-up band, this was just Jeff and a guitar. He proved why he’s one of the most respected artists around, as he sang in perfect voice while impressing on the six-string. His vocals were sharp, piercing the night air.

Mixing up the setlist, Tweedy played some Wilco tunes, as well as selections from his work with Billy Bragg, Loose Fur, and Uncle Tupelo. “Guess I’ll play some more sad songs, what the hell. They didn’t bring me here to make you happy,” Tweedy expressed, always showcasing that dark sense of humor. Catch his solo tour coming to a city new you.

I thought it would be nearly impossible for Isbell and the band to top the previous night’s show, but I stand corrected. A more rocking affair on night two, there were more 400 Unit songs than solo, which woke the neighbors and all the fishes in the river. They were as tight as a sailor’s rope and improve each time I see them. Labeled as folk and Americana, Isbell referred to his cohorts as, “This Rock ‘n’ Roll band” several times. And it’s true…this group rocks. Tonight’s tunes from Isbell’s critically acclaimed solo acoustic album Foxes in the Snow were energized with help from the 400 Unit, each song taking on a new personality.

As the evening darkened and the cool air wafted off the river, “If We Were Vampires” was played for the second night. A brutally heartbreaking song, it was written and sung with ex-wife Amanda Shires. I’ve pondered the challenges of continuing to sing this song for him, with lyrics such as, “It’s knowing that this can’t go on forever / Likely one of us will have to spend some days alone / Maybe we’ll get forty years together / But one day I’ll be gone or one day you’ll be gone.” While the intention was discussing death, it has transformed to divorce.

Closing the show and hitting like a cannon ball was “This Ain’t It,” a post-Southern blues rocker that always gets fans on their feet. The guitar interlude between Isbell and Vaden was a highpoint, and felt like we’d been transported back to a seventies-era Allman Brothers show.

As the band preps for their annual six-night run at The Ryman Auditorium later this month, it appears they’re ready. For more info on those dates, click here. Check out other tour dates and releases at Isbell’s website. Finally, keep scrolling for the #SetListPlayList and Band Shirts, Who Wore What below.

#musicislife

Band Shirts: Who Wore What. Musical festivals present 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 many.