I don’t suppose I really need to tell you that I enjoy seeing live music. I love the music, the lights, the spectacle, the phenomenal musicianship, the soaring voices, the showmanship, the artist’s interactions with the crowd. But as much as I love it, I will admit that I will sometimes pass on seeing an artist or band too frequently. That’s especially true if they haven’t released any new material between the last time I saw them, and when they’re scheduled to return.
There are, however, a handful of artists/bands that I will never purposefully miss. Tab Benoit is at the top of that relatively short list.
Benoit is a road machine, and he has a clear affinity for playing gigs in Colorado. I’ve lost track of how many times he’s played here over the past few years. Most recently, he played the Chautauqua Auditorium on Saturday, July 12, touring in support of I Hear Thunder, an album that had been released in August of 2024, and is his first new studio album since 2011. (Check out the review and pics from that show by clicking this link… Tab Benoit Chautauqua Auditorium.)
Given that I just saw him play two months ago, you might wonder why in the world I would want to see him yet again so soon… and not one, not two, but three nights in a row? Well folks, it’s simple. The man is that damned good. His unique blend of Cajun-infused blues, a standalone genre referred to as Delta Blues or Swamp Blues, sets him apart from his contemporaries. Despite the fact that his on-stage rig is minimalist, consisting of only his trademark, stock 1972 Thinline Telecaster, a pair of amplifiers, and no pedals, the range of sounds he manages to generate is astonishing. He’s an equally impressive vocalist, whether tugging at your heartstrings on a beautiful ballad like “Nothing Takes the Place of You,” getting your booty shaking on the rollicking “Boat Launch Baby,” or literally bringing the thunder on a powerful blues rocker like “I Hear Thunder.” On top of all that, he’s an outstanding showman, whose interactions with the crowd range from earnest to playful.
So yes, this past weekend I followed Benoit as he played Washington’s in Fort Collins (Friday 09/12), the Gothic Theatre in Englewood (Saturday 09/13), and Stargazers in Colorado Springs (Sunday 09/14). Some of you might think that was a bit over the top. You might be right. But I loved every minute of it. (Although I will admit that my gluteus maximus is seriously dragging this morning.)
One of the things I loved the most about this three night experience was that while the setlists for the shows were more similar than different, the differences were significant enough to keep the experience fresh, even for someone who might be attending multiple shows. Eighteen different songs were played over the course of the three nights. Half of those songs were consistent across all three nights. Five were played on two of the nights. And four were played for a single show only.
Each show opened with the same song (“Medicine,” from Benoit’s classic 2011 album by the same name). The regular set each night closed with the same song (“Bayou Man,” from the new I Hear Thunder album). And the two-song encore for each night was the same – a rousing cover of the Muddy Waters’ classic “Why Are People Like That,” followed by an expanded, pounding version of the title track from the I Hear Thunder album.
Each night, Tab, longtime bassist Corey Duplechin, and fill in drummer Brian Brignac, were joined by GA-20 co-guitarists Matthew Stubbs and Cody Nilsen for the two-song encore. (GA-20 opened the show each night, with an energetic and crowd pleasing forty minute set.) On each song, first Stubbs, then Nilsen, and finally Benoit took their turns with blazing solos. The atmosphere was electric, the intensity level cranked to eleven (nod to the new Spinal Tap movie that opened over the weekend). It was loud, it was exhaustive, and it was beautiful.
On Sunday night, GA-20 drummer Josh Kiggans took over for Brignac on the first song of the encore. Brignac then took his place behind the kit for the encore closer.
In between the consistent opening and closing tracks, Tab tinkered with the sequencing to keep things fresh for both fans who were seeing multiple shows, and for the members of the band. You won’t see a printed setlist on the floor in front of each band member at a Benoit concert. He and the band walk on stage with an expanded arsenal of tracks they are ready to play, depending on the vibe of the room. I talked to Tab after the Sunday night show in Colorado Springs, and asked him about the on-stage communication between himself, Duplechin and Brignac. He explained that it happens through a combination of visual and auditory signals he uses to let them know which track they’re going to next. Benoit and Duplechin have been playing together for so long that this communication has become almost instinctual. They have to be a bit more deliberate when they’re joined by a new drummer, but to my eye (and ear), Brignac fit in perfectly.
Below is a complete listing of the setlists for each night, presented in order. The color key shows the songs that were played on all three nights (yellow), on two of the three nights (green), and on a single night (blue).
The FOCO setlist consisted of fourteen songs (twelve in the main set/two encore), with a total running time of one hour and forty minutes. The Gothic setlist had the same configuration (fourteen total, divided twelve and two), with a slightly longer running time, clocking in at an hour and forty-five minutes. The Stargazers’ set consisted of thirteen total songs (eleven and two), but still with a total running time of an hour and forty-five minutes.
What was different about each night? There’s the obvious. Different venues in different cities with primarily different crowds. Slightly different or modified setlists. Different lighting and/or backdrops. And three different, though all completely awesome, trademark Tab Benoit on-stage long sleeved shirts. Here’s a quick rundown…
Total capacity for Washington’s in Fort Collins is 900. Total capacity for the Gothic is 1,100. And depending on configuration, Stargazers in Colorado Springs will accommodate between 500 and 550. Co-owners John and Cindy Hooton confirmed that the Stargazers show was a sellout. I don’t have official confirmation, but it certainly appeared that the Gothic show was also a sellout. The Washington’s show didn’t appear to be completely sold out, but I could be wrong about that. It was certainly “full,” but not necessarily packed.
The loudest crowd seemed to be at the Gothic, which you would expect given its larger capacity. It certainly appeared to be the rowdiest of the three crowds. Although I will say, I saw more actual dancing going on in Fort Collins. (FOCO came out to play!)
Both Washington’s and the Gothic are primarily GA standing venues, with horseshoe mezzanine seating areas. Stargazers is all GA, but with both row and table seating, in a semi-circle under a domed roof. You might think this would cater to a more reserved crowd at Stargazers. Not so fast, Sparky. There’s a reason Benoit has been playing Stargazers for years. In fact, he played there just two months earlier, and was returning for what was the final stop on the current tour. The fine folks in Colorado Springs adore Benoit, and they aren’t shy about noisily letting him know.
As noted above, both the FOCO and Gothic sets included a total of fourteen songs, while the Stargazers’ set came in one less, at thirteen. Tab always does a great job of interacting with the crowd between songs, but he was in exceptional form on that front in Colorado Springs. Perhaps it was because this was the last night of the tour, and he was just in a somewhat more playful mood. Perhaps it was due to the special relationship he has with this venue, and the people of Colorado Springs. For whatever reason, he was more talkative on Sunday night. Prior to becoming a full-time musician, Tab had done some standup comedy. He put that experience to good use Sunday night, cracking the audience up with “bits” about the first time he met legendary bluesman Albert Collins, how weird it was to have to negotiate with himself when purchasing items for his traveling merchandise table, why you wouldn’t want him to give guitar lessons to your kids, and why he doesn’t trust chickens.
Now, about those shirts. If you’ve read any of my past reviews of Benoit shows, you know I’m more than a little bit loco about the shirts Tab wears on stage. In my 2022 review of his headline performance at the Winter Park Blues from the Top Festival I wrote, “The one part of Benoit’s shows that isn’t simple is his wardrobe. The man wears the coolest shirts when he’s on stage. I’ve got to figure out where he gets them.” He didn’t disappoint on these three nights, although in my mind, the clear “winner” was the shirt he wore at Stargazers on Sunday night. (Oh, and I did find out where he gets his shirts. Well, sort of. His mom buys them for him, picking them up where she finds them as she travels in support of her own passion, which is thoroughbred horse racing.)
The bottom line here is that while Benoit changes things up enough that it keeps it fresh for both audiences and members of his band, there’s more that’s the same on a night to night, show to show basis, than is different. Sure, some of the songs will be different. Sometimes the sequence will be changed. That means you might not hear a particular song you really hoped to hear on the night you happen to be in the audience. Sunday night was the first of the many times I’ve seen Tab perform live that I didn’t hear the breathtakingly beautiful “Nothing Takes The Place of You.” But in return, we all got to hear “Long Lonely Bayou,” another gorgeous track that Tab performed solo. Before Sunday night, I’d never heard him perform that song live. It was, in a word, outstanding.
What’s the same – night after night after night – is the incredible, undeniable talent that Tab Benoit possesses. The extraordinary musicianship. His magnificent singing voice. And perhaps most important, the reverence he displays toward the people who have laid down their hard earned cash to come see him perform.
Tab Benoit sincerely appreciates the people who come to his shows. It isn’t just something he says. It’s something he lives. I spent a good half hour with him after Sunday night’s show, talking about a range of topics. He’s a man who is passionate about people connecting with each other through their hearts, honestly and earnestly. He talks about this in every single live performance – at least the many I’ve seen. About how music that comes from the heart is nourishment for the soul. When he’s playing for you, he’s connecting with you. That’s why so many people who were at the shows I attended on these three nights told me they see Tab every time he comes to their town to play. Once you see him play the first time – once you and he have made that connection – it’s with you forever.
But don’t take my word for it. I talked to a lot of people in the crowds on these three nights. I particularly enjoyed talking to, and watching, the people who were seeing Benoit perform live for the first time. Nicki in Fort Collins, Ben in Denver, and Renee and Rachel in Colorado Springs, to name a few. Perhaps Nicki said it best… “It was like a religious experience. It truly moved me to tears to stand there and let that musical magician’s sound wash over me! He absolutely blew my mind. I can’t wait until he comes back so I can experience that again!”
Yeah. That pretty much covers it.
A special shoutout to John Hooton, who, with his wife Cindy, has owned and operated Stargazers Theatre & Events Center in Colorado Springs since 2008. This was my first show at Stargazers. The venue is amazing, and John was a gracious and generous host. Thanks, John, for your help. I’ll definitely be back. And I encourage all of you reading this article to check out this terrific events venue at https://stargazerstheatre.com/.
Major kudos to GA-20, the Chicago blues trio out of Boston (I know that sounds weird, but it is what it is) that opened for Benoit all three nights. I was somewhat familiar with their music going into the shows, but today I’m a card carrying fan. They put on a heck of a show, combining a terrific, throwback sound that blends blues, country, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll, with strong musicianship and showmanship. Check them out at https://ga20band.com/.
Extra special thanks to Tab Benoit for being so generous with his time following the show on Sunday. There’s an expression about the dangers of meeting your heroes, because there’s a good chance that doing so will lead to disappointment. I wouldn’t say that Tab is a hero to me, but he’s certainly someone I admire because of his immense musical talent. After talking to him after the show on Sunday night, I’m left with a sense of what he’s like as a human being. No disappointment there. Just more admiration, and a lot of thankfulness for the opportunity to have spent that time with him.
Story and photos by Rick Witt www.rickwittphotography.com (Note that I did not shoot the Gothic show, so the pictures in the gallery are all from the Washington’s and Stargazers shows.)
