Alabama Shakes just did something no one thought they’d do again—hit the studio. Eight years after their last release, the band has teased new music, proving that maybe, just maybe, they’re ready to step back into the spotlight.
The band dropped a handful of studio photos on Instagram with the caption: “Working on some exciting stuff!”—short, cryptic, and exactly the kind of vague tease that drives fans insane. No clips, no soundbites, just proof they’re making noise together again.
Noticeably absent in the pictures is drummer Steve Johnson, which isn’t exactly surprising. He was arrested on child abuse charges in 2021 and subsequently dismissed from the band later that year. It’s unclear if Alabama Shakes are moving forward as a trio or bringing in someone new, but either way, this is their first real attempt at new material since their Grammy-winning contribution to Music From The American Epic Sessions in 2017.
If that wasn’t enough to stir up excitement, Alabama Shakes have also confirmed they’ll be playing the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival in St. Paul. The festival lineup is stacked, with Fall Out Boy, Weezer, and Green Day also on board. A one-off festival set isn’t exactly a full comeback, but it’s the first time in nearly a decade that Alabama Shakes have stepped onto a festival stage. That alone is worth paying attention to.
This return isn’t completely out of nowhere. Back in December, the band surprised a crowd in Alabama when Brittany Howard casually invited her old bandmates—Zac Cockrell, Heath Fogg, and Ben Tanner—on stage. It was their first time performing together in over seven years. If the setlist was anything to go by, they fell right back into place:
Alabama Shakes – Surprise Reunion Setlist:
- Hang Loose
- Shoegaze
- Be Mine
- Joe
- This Feeling
- Gimme All Your Love
- Hold On
- I Ain’t the Same
- Always Alright
That one-off gig had fans buzzing, but no one knew if it meant anything beyond a nostalgic jam session. Now, with new music in the works and a festival slot confirmed, it’s looking like Alabama Shakes might actually be gearing up for something bigger.
Meanwhile, Brittany Howard has been keeping busy. Last year, she dropped her solo album What Now, and earlier this month, she debuted her new hardcore band, Kumite, at a Nashville gig.
So, what’s next for Alabama Shakes? A single? An album? A tour? No one knows. But after nearly a decade of silence, they’ve finally given fans a reason to believe. The wait might actually be over.
