Blackberry Smoke, Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs

CRITIC’S PICK
Sat., Aug. 9

Blackberry Smoke, Mike Campbell & the Dirty Knobs, Shannon McNally, Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park — Contemporary Southern Rock has plenty of competition but Atlanta’s Blackberry Smoke has risen to the top of the heap. It has taken decades of hard work, excellent albums and constant touring yet the Charlie Starr fronted nine-piece has become the finest, and most consistent, exponent of 70s red clay roots rock; all without selling out to major labels, while keeping their sound tough and melodic. You’ll get plenty of that from Be Right Here (2024), their eighth and arguably finest set. As Tom Petty’s shotgun riding partner for decades, it’s no surprise that Mike Campbell’s own band, now three albums deep, exudes plenty of his old boss’s strummy, twangy, bluesy, Brit/Americana charm. Smoke shares some of that sound, so an on-stage collaboration seems likely. — Hal Horowitz