Photos by Andy Argyrakis

In the 22 months since Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre held a concert, the amount of changes throughout the world have been staggering, but if there ever was one element that stayed the same, it was a Tinley Park audience’s ability to rock, especially when The Black Crowes flew into town for a welcome back weekend.

Even without COVID-related delays, the news of the recently reunited Chris and Rich Robinson would’ve been massive in its own right, especially considering the previously feuding brothers and their fresher recruits were presenting the entire “Shake Your Money Maker” project that put them on the map throughout the early 1990s, when they bravely steered around the hair metal and novelty pop that was ruling the roost.

And despite being inactive as an entity since 2013, outside of getting warmed up prior to the pandemic, The Black Crowes continued on course as one easily the most incendiary acts to ever resurrect a delightfully dirty blend of southern rock, psychedelia and blues.

After Rich revved up the guitars and Chris emerged from behind a tour-themed umbrella on a giant stage that was part bar and barn, the band hammered out “Twice As Hard” and “Jealous Again,” which despite the nostalgic theme, nonetheless found the fellas on the offensive.

Of course, their snarling take on Otis Redding’s “Hard To Handle” and the pleading ballad “She Talks To Angels” more than spoke for themselves, as did fellow on the money favorites “Seeing Things,” “Struttin’ Blues” and “Stare It Cold.”

In fact, the first half should’ve probably been flipped with the second given its fivefold platinum familiarity, though that didn’t mean The Black Crowes didn’t keep the momentum going with several other older selections (especially since they’ve yet to record anything new).

The group’s sophomore effort, “The Southern Harmony And Musical Companion,” got the highest amount of shout-outs, culminating in “Sting Me” and “Remedy,” prior to unpacking The Rolling Stones’ “It’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll (But I Like It)” as if their lives depended on it.

Even openers Dirty Honey were worth an early entry, recalling the glory days of Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith (with a splash of Greta Van Fleet), not only giving hope for the genre’s future, but adding a rousing presence to a summer of concerts roaring back.

Click here for more photos of The Black Crowes at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre.

For additional information on The Black Crowes, TheBlackCrowes.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre include Kings Of Leon (Aug. 20); Luke Bryan (Aug. 21); Pitbull (Aug. 22); Daryl Hall & John Oates (Aug. 26); Korn and Staind (Aug. 27); Zac Brown Band (Aug. 28); The Doobie Brothers (Aug. 29); Kiss (Sept. 4); Megadeth and Lamb Of God (Sept. 9); Brad Paisley (Sept. 10); Alanis Morissette and Garbage (Sept. 11); Jonas Brothers (Sept. 12); TLC and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony (Sept. 15); Brooks & Dunn (Sept. 18); Thomas Rhett (Sept. 25) and Knotfest Roadshow (Sept. 28). For additional details, visit LiveNation.com.

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