Although Alabama Shakes found themselves firmly at the top of the roots rock scene in 2018 with four Grammys to their name, frontwoman Brittany Howard decided to go it alone and leave the band that same year to focus on a solo career. It was a bold choice, which ultimately turned out to be a stellar move. Her solo debut Jaime (2019), which is dedicated to her late older sister, was lauded by the press and notched up no less than seven Grammy nominations, of which one was ultimately awarded, for the single Stay High. Its surprising follow-up What Now (2024) was released recently. It’s a mini-manifesto against an increasingly harsh society, driven by refined grooves, house beats, blistering guitar riffs, uncompromising straight-talking lyrics and, of course, Brittany’s powerfully compelling voice. She is about to make her debut at the festival, after the pandemic threw a spanner in the works for a previous attempt in 2020. Her music is a real must for anyone into edgy retro soul, funk pop, rousing dance music, with some brutally honest blues rock thrown in.
