Live Review: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club + Humanist @ Buckhead Theatre, Atlanta – October 15, 2025
- Chris Collett
- Oct 18
- 3 min read
The walls of the Buckhead Theatre shook on October 15 as Black Rebel Motorcycle Club brought their dark, thunderous brand of rock to Atlanta. Touring in celebration of the 20th anniversary of their landmark 2005 album Howl, the San Francisco trio reminded everyone that they are still as commanding, raw, and magnetic as ever.
Humanist sets the mood
Opening the night was Humanist, the UK-based project led by guitarist Rob Marshall. Known for his collaborations with the late Mark Lanegan, Marshall led a performance drenched in cinematic tension and post-punk edge. Songs like Best of the Nation and English Ghosts rolled through the venue like soundtracks for a midnight drive. The heavy reverb, widescreen guitar tones, and haunting vocals set the stage perfectly for what BRMC would unleash next.
Controlled chaos from BRMC
Once the house lights dropped, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club stormed into Shuffle Your Feet, immediately locking the crowd into their signature mix of blues grit and garage distortion. What followed was a perfectly paced set that reminded Atlanta why BRMC’s sound still hits with force.
Tracks like Howl and Devil’s Waitin’ carried that slow-burn menace that defines the band’s legacy. Ain’t No Easy Way and Still Suspicion Holds You Tight pulled from their darker Americana side, while Fault Line and Weight of the World offered moments of introspection under the swirling lights.
Midway through the set, drummer Leah Shapiro stole the spotlight with an unrelenting performance that balanced muscle and precision. Her energy drove Mercy and Complicated Situation forward with an almost jazz-like control, building tension before every drop.
The night closed with Open Invitation, its final chords ringing out like a statement. No nostalgia trip, no filler, just a reminder that BRMC is still dangerous, still alive, and still one of rock’s most consistent live forces.
The sound and visuals
Rich back lighting washed over the trio as fog coiled around their boots. The minimal visuals worked in their favor, keeping focus where it belonged on tone and texture. Between songs, brief pauses let the echo of the amps linger in the air, filling the gaps with electricity.
The Buckhead Theatre’s intimate acoustics made the set hit even harder, letting every fuzzy riff and heavy bassline roll through the room with physical weight.
Setlist: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club @ Buckhead Theatre (October 15, 2025)
Devil’s Waitin’
Shuffle Your Feet
Howl
Ain’t No Easy Way
Still Suspicion Holds You Tight
Weight of the World (Pete Acoustic)
Promise (Rob Acoustic)
Sympathetic Sinner
Gospel
The Line
Red Eyes and Tears
US Government
Beat the Devil’s Tattoo
Berlin
Conscience Killer
Spread Your Love
Shadows Keeper
Open Invitation
Final thoughts
For a band with more than twenty years of touring behind them, BRMC refuses to coast. The Buckhead crowd did not just get a night of nostalgia, they got a performance that felt urgent and real.
With Humanist setting the tone, the evening carried a unified darkness from start to finish. It was a night for those who crave depth in their rock shows, and Atlanta got exactly that.
Links:
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Humanist
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