Samantha Fish - Fine Line - Minneapolis, MN - December 18th 2022

Samantha Fish Faster Tour 2022

Despite the fact that it was a Sunday night and temperatures had plunged below zero, devoted fans of Samantha Fish eagerly lined up outside the Fine Line. They wanted a prime spot for her first show back in Minneapolis since before the pandemic. Moreover, her name was prominently displayed on an eye-catching backdrop that perfectly complemented her edgy red leather outfit and sassy blond curls. Consequently, the venue fit the show perfectly, offering a near-capacity audience the option to be part of the action up front or take a more laid-back approach from the seats upstairs. Furthermore, the sound quality was high, with a pleasing mix that remained at a comfortable but rocking level for the entire show.

To start the evening, the 4-piece band seemed determined to deliver something extra special, as this was their final tour date before the holiday break. They kicked off the set with “Bulletproof,” which has been consistent for this run of shows and is perfectly suited to build audience engagement. Additionally, the band skillfully used the song’s shifting dynamics to encourage an exchange of energy with fans, an element Fish always establishes at her shows. While the tune is built around her swampy slide work on a 4-string Cigar Box Guitar, Fish’s vocals stood out. She sustained certain high notes beyond the beat, adding a sense of ache and longing. Consequently, the song grew in intensity and eventually launched into an extended solo section that fired up the crowd.

Keeping the momentum going, they flowed directly into two fresh tracks off the most recent release, Faster. Moreover, Sarah Tomek and Ron Johnson established exceptional grooves on drums and bass respectively, which proved crucial throughout the performance. For harmonies and free-style jamming, Fish interacted more with Keyboardist Matt Wade, whose most impactful soloing efforts happened during “Kill or Be Kind” and “Bitch on the Run.”

Although Fish is primarily labeled a blues artist, her material spans multiple genres, leading to a diverse range of styles in her live shows. For instance, the band’s throwback cover of “Hello Stranger” was wonderfully soulful, while the ultra-modern “Hypnotic” leaned more towards pop. The title track to Faster had a power-pop feel, clearly benefiting from Fish’s harder rock influences. One of the evening’s most impressive moments happened midway through when Fish commanded the stage alone for a two-song solo acoustic set. This unobstructed view showcased her skill as a guitarist. Moreover, her version of “If I Was Your Woman” featured some of her finest singing of the night.

Despite the range of styles, blues remained the driving force behind the two-hour performance. “No Angels” was a definite standout. The opening riff immediately generated a positive crowd response and established the song’s infectious groove. Fish took her time exploring an array of tones and techniques during some slow blues on her white Gibson SG. Additionally, the show’s best rocker, “Bitch on the Run,” included the crowd’s best efforts singing along to “right now, right now I’m feeling it.” Eventually, Fish returned to the stage for an encore, closing out the evening with a performance of the Black Crowes’ “Shake ’em On Down.”

Link here for the most current list of Samantha Fish 2023 Tour Dates

Set List:
Bulletproof – Tangle Eye Mix
All Ice No Whiskey
Twisted Ambition
Hello Stranger (Barbara Lewis cover)
Highway’s Holding Me Now
Hypnotic
Faster
No Angels
Better Be Lonely
Kill Or Be Kind
Jim Lee Blues Pt. 1 (solo acoustic)
If I Was Your Woman (Gladys Knight cover) (solo acoustic)
Watch It Die
Bitch on the Run
So-Called Lover
Dream Girl
Black Wind Howlin’
Encore:
Shake ‘em On Down (Black Crowes cover)