The Tedeschi Trucks Band got their 2025 tour back under way in Tulsa Tuesday night, electrifying a packed Tulsa Theater.
Feeling fresh after some brief down time following another epic NYC Beacon Theater run at the end of May, The Tedeschi Trucks Band picked up right where they left off. Shaking off any rust or cobwebs, the two blistering sets in Tulsa seemed a fine precursor for the band’s next stop at Red Rocks for a pair of shows this weekend, and for a slew of more dates out west through August. Maybe it’s the Leon connection, but the band always seems to deliver in Tulsa. Sure, the same could be said just about anywhere the band plays; after all, I’ve long said that on any given night they’re one of the top two or three bands playing anywhere, Still, magical shows seem to come together in T-Town and the audience’s anticipation was in high gear. Thankfully, the band absolutely crushed it once again.
A lot of that anticipation comes from the vast catalog of material the band can choose from each night. You never really know what they’re going to play. Much like the good ol’ Grateful Dead, TTB shows are each a unique experience. Tonight, the band opened with a really promising new song, “Crazy Crying,” which they had debuted last year, and had only been played a handful of times to date. The band is still touring behind their most recent studio effort, I Am The Moon, and the setlist reflected that, with five songs from the epic 2022 four album release, and “Hear My Dear” and “Fall In” up next and an additional three songs in the second set.
Next though, the band dug back a few years for “Part Of Me “ from the band’s 2013 release, Made Up Mind before delivering the first cover of the night, a smoking version of Eddie Kirkland’s “I Must Have Done Somebody Wrong.” What came next was my highlight of the first set, a slow building Derek and the Dominos two-fer of “Bell Bottom Blues”>”Why Does Love Have To Be So Sad.” The band then closed out the first set returning to Made Up Mind for “It’s So Heavy” and “Let Me Get By,” the title track of the band’s 2016 release.
Following a brief intermission, the band returned to Made Up Mind, opening the second set with the fiery “Do I Look Worried To You?” and another cut from I Am The Moon “Soul Sweet Song,” followed by a cover of Junior Wells’ “Little By Little.” The band next welcomed a special guest, bringing out local guitarist and songwriter Seth Lee Jones. Tulsa is chock full of some of the hottest guitarists in roots music, and Jones certainly fits that bill. Together they delivered a wonderful take on Prince’s “1999.” Jones, also a skilled luthier, has a great record Flathead that’s out now on Tulsa’s own Horton Records. Be sure to check that out as well.
The band next turned their attention to “Shame” from 2019’s Signs, before “Ain’t That Something” and “Yes We Will,” another pair from the newest release. With the evening’s close in sight, the band dipped into their Grammy Award winning 2011 debut Revelator for a beautiful and always welcome “Midnight In Harlem,” followed by a smoldering “Made Up Mind.” The band returned for a two song encore, starting with another auspicious and lively song “Future Soul” that featured Trucks on a Firebird rather than his customary SG. The band then welcomed keyboardist Anthony Farrell and Andrew Trube from the Austin-based band Greyhounds for the night’s final song, a searing version of “Lets Go Get Stoned.” The perfect end to a perfect night.
It was another memorable night with TTB in Tulsa. Truly one of the best bands on the road today, it’s always a special treat to catch them live, and one I can’t recommend enough. It’s an absolute privilege to watch this band perform, and absolutely fascinating to watch their interactions, Trucks in particular. From subtle head nods and motions directing the band to the teases and improvisations that so casually dart in and out throughout the evening. It’s one of the reasons people go and see this band night after night and year after year.
Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks can’t carry all the weight themselves though. The band is key, and what a band they are: featuring Gabe Dixon on keys and vocals, Brandon Boone on bass, Tyler ‘Falcon’ Greenwell and Issac Eady on drums, Mike Mattison, Mark Rivers and Alecia Chakour on vocals and the fabulous horns of Kebbi Williams on saxophone, Ephraim Owens of Trumpet and Elizabeth Lea on trombone. They’re a band that enjoys challenging one another and then celebrating the results. The Tedeschi Trucks band have a busy rest of the year ahead of them. In addition to continuing their 2025 tour well into October, they’ll also be releasing recordings with Leon Russell highlighting the 10th anniversary of the Mad Dogs & Englishmen Revisited (Live at Lockn) set on Friday September12th via Fantasy Records. The release is available in multiple formats and can be per-ordered here: https://shop.tedeschitrucksband.com.
The band also just announced their third annual Sun, Sand & Soul beach weekend, a three day immersive experience in Miramar Beach, Florida on April 23-25 2026. In addition to two nights of TTB, the three day event presented by Topeka, will also feature performances from Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, The Drive-By Truckers, Taj Mahal and the Phantom Band, The Mavericks, The Honey Hounds, Elles Bailey and Jaimee Wyatt, and looks absolutely spectacular. My wife and I are seriously putting some thought toward attending this one next year to celebrate our 31st wedding anniversary. Maybe we’ll see you there. You can find out more information regarding this event by checking in here: Tedeschi Trucks Band Presents “Sun Sand and Soul” ’26 Beach Weekend – Topeka Vacations or by visiting the official Tedeschi Trucks Band page here: https://www.tedeschitrucksband.com
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Show Review: The Tedeschi Trucks Band at The Fox Theater in Atlanta, GA
Review is spot on and couldn’t be more accurate in all aspects, thank you.