Word and Live Photos: DJ
Myglobalmind and Screaming Digital Productions
April 23, 2025 – Decatur, Alabama
The historic Princess Theatre in Decatur, Alabama experienced a sonic thunderstorm on Wednesday night when guitar virtuoso Samantha Fish took command of the stage, bringing much-needed heat and energy to combat the dreary weather outside. Despite a week of persistent rain and the gloomy gray skies that hung over Decatur, Fish managed to draw an impressive crowd to the iconic 600-capacity venue. when guitar virtuoso Samantha Fish took command of the stage, delivering a blistering set that highlighted both her ferocious guitar skills and the raw emotional power of her newest release, “Paper Doll,” which dropped today.
Fresh from supporting legends like The Rolling Stones and riding high on her 2023 Grammy-nominated, Billboard Blues Chart-topping album Death Wish Blues, Fish arrived in Decatur at the perfect moment – a star in ascendance who hasn’t forgotten her blues-rock roots. The Kansas City-bred, New Orleans-based musician has consistently built her reputation as one of the most electrifying guitarists of her generation, and Wednesday’s performance only reinforced this well-earned acclaim.
Fish’s new album Paper Doll (Rounder Records) represents her boldest statement yet – a collection produced by Detroit garage-rock legend Bobby Harlow with assistance from Mick Collins (The Gories). Recorded between tour dates at The Orb in Austin and Savannah Studios in Los Angeles, the album captures the untamed energy that Fish brings to her live performances, which was on full display at The Princess.
Backed by her road-tested band featuring Ron Johnson (bass), Jamie Douglass (drums), and Mickey Finn (keys), Fish commanded the stage with the confidence of someone who’s found her true voice both in the studio and on stage. “It’s taken me years to finally find my voice in a studio setting,” Fish has said about her new album, and that newfound clarity and conviction reverberated throughout the Princess Theatre.
Fish kicked off the evening with a blistering cover of MC5’s punk anthem “Kick Out the Jams,” immediately establishing the high-octane energy that would define the night. While her setlist did feature the anticipated lead single “Sweet Southern Sounds” from her brand-new “Paper Doll” album, the performance showcased Fish’s impressive musical range with selections spanning her catalog, including fan-favorites like “Bulletproof” and “Black Wind Howlin’.”
What truly distinguished the evening was Fish’s remarkable ability to seamlessly transition between originals and carefully selected covers, including Teri Thornton’s soulful “Either Way I Lose,” Ted Taylor’s gritty “Somebody’s Always Trying,” and a scorching rendition of R.L. Burnside’s Delta blues classic “Poor Black Mattie” that had the Decatur crowd on their feet.
Songs like “Better Be Lonely” and “I’m Done Runnin'” showcased Fish’s superb vocal range and commanding stage presence. The musical chemistry between Fish and her band was electric, with particularly noteworthy interplay between keyboard player Mickey Finn and veteran bassist Ron Johnson, whose smooth bass lines provided the perfect foundation for Fish’s guitar explorations.
A standout moment came during “Can Ya Handle The Heat?” from her newly-released Paper Doll album. What makes Fish such a captivating performer is her willingness to experiment beyond traditional blues boundaries – incorporating progressive rock elements, rockabilly flourishes, and unexpected sonic textures into her solos. This musical adventurousness, coupled with her technical brilliance, created a setlist that satisfied purists while surprising casual fans with the sheer breadth of her musicianship.
On the more elegant “Sweet Southern Sounds,” another highlight from her just-released album, Mickey Finn’s organ work established the soulful foundation of the song before Fish entered with her smooth, measured vocal delivery. The extended guitar solo that followed demonstrated Fish’s remarkable restraint and impeccable phrasing – proving she’s as compelling during the quieter, more nuanced moments as she is during her high-energy rockers. The Decatur audience responded with particular enthusiasm to this track, suggesting the new material is already connecting deeply with fans.
Fish’s cover of R.L. Burnside’s “Poor Black Mattie” showcased her deep connection to Delta blues traditions while adding her own contemporary edge. While Fish has recorded covers of underrated Delta blues artists before, experiencing these interpretations live brought new dimensions to the material. Similarly, the giddy, pick-driven vibes of “Bulletproof” further demonstrated her stylistic range and technical prowess.
Throughout the evening at The Princess Theatre, it became abundantly clear why Samantha Fish has been steadily ascending in the blues-rock world. She delivers the complete package: killer guitar playing that ranges from delicate to ferocious, a distinctive vocal approach with impressive range, and musical versatility that keeps audiences engaged from the first note to the last. For anyone who appreciates masterful musicianship and authentic performance energy, Samantha Fish is, without question, a must-see live act.
Big props to Ms J for lending a helping hand on the photos – this tag team effort captured the energy of Fish’s performance from multiple angles in a venue I had never photographed before. My photo partner rather enjoyed the performance as well, making for a successful collaboration amid the challenging lighting conditions of the historic theater.
If you’re reading this on release day, don’t miss Samantha Fish’s appearance on the Kelly Clarkson Show where she’ll be supporting her new record Paper Doll, out today. After witnessing her dynamic live performance in Decatur, it’s clear this is an artist whose star will continue to rise – rain or shine.
Throughout her career, Fish has consistently defied categorization, blending elements of blues, rock, country, and soul into a sound that’s unmistakably her own. Tuesday night’s performance at The Princess Theatre wasn’t just a concert – it was a declaration from an artist who’s reached a new creative peak and shows no signs of slowing down.
https://www.samanthafish.com/tour/
Samantha Fish 2025 Tour Dates
4.30.2025 – Crawfish Fest – New Orleans, LA
5.3.2025 – JazzFest – New Orleans, LA
5.14.2025 – Aztec Theatre – San Antonio, TX *
5.15.2025 – House of Blues – Houston, TX *
5.16.2025 – House of Blues – Dallas, TX *
5.17.2025 – TempleLive – Fort Smith, AR *
5.18.2025 – Cain’s Ballroom – Tulsa, OK *
5.21.2025 – The Astro – Omaha, NE *
5.22.2025 – Cotillion – Wichita, KS *
5.23.2025 – Gillioz Theater – Springfield, MO *
5.28.2025 – Cheese & Grain – Frome, United Kingdom
5.29.2025 – Red Rooster Festival, Thetford, United Kingdom
5.30.2025 – Arts Club – Liverpool, United Kingdom
5.31.2025 – The Brook – Southampton, United Kingdom
6.1.2025 – Academy 2 – Oxford, United Kingdom
6.5.2025 – Sweden Rock Festival – Solvesborg, Sweden
6.7.2025 – Peer Blues Festival – Peer, Belgium
6.8.2025 – Ribs N Blues Festival – Raalte, The Netherlands
6.9.2025 – Tivoli – Utrecht, The Netherlands
6.10.2025 – Le Trianon – Paris, France
6.11.2025 – Le Transbordeur – Lyon, France
6.13.2025 – Bilbao Arena – Bilbao, Spain
6.14.2025 – Joy Eslava, Madrid, Spain
6.15.2025 – Razmataz 2, Barcelona, Spain
7.12.2025 – Samantha Fish Outlaw Square – Deadwood, SD *
* Supporting Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
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