Word and Live Photos: DJ
Myglobalmind and Screaming Digital Productions
Before The Red Clay Strays took the stage on October 15th, the evening began with a masterclass in soulful rock from Wilder Woods, the solo project of Bear Rinehart, founding member and lead singer of acclaimed rock band Needtobreathe. Since launching Wilder Woods in 2019 with his debut album on Atlantic Records, Rinehart has carved out a distinct sonic identity separate from his main band—one that leans into vintage soul, R&B grooves, and a funkier, more experimental edge.
Rinehart’s performance was a perfect complement to the headliners, sharing that same Southern authenticity and emotional depth while bringing his own flavor to the proceedings. His set drew heavily from the Wilder Woods catalog, showcasing his versatility as both a guitarist and vocalist. There’s a looseness to the Wilder Woods material that allows Rinehart to explore different textures than Needtobreathe fans might expect, and it’s clear he relishes the creative freedom. The warm, inviting nature of his performance set the tone beautifully for what would become an emotionally charged evening.
What became evident throughout his opening set was how well-matched this pairing was. Both Wilder Woods and The Red Clay Strays understand that authenticity trumps flash, that songs rooted in real human experience will always resonate deeper than empty showmanship. Rinehart’s ability to connect with the audience—honed over years fronting one of Christian rock’s most successful acts—brought an intimate warmth that primed the crowd perfectly for the main event.
There’s something profoundly moving about watching a band in the midst of their breakthrough moment, and The Red Clay Strays are riding that wave with the kind of raw authenticity that can’t be manufactured. Over a year since the release of their acclaimed album Made By These Moments, the Alabama quintet delivered a barnburner of a show on October 15th that felt equal parts revival meeting and rock’n’roll catharsis.
The band’s name itself is a testament to their roots—”Red Clay” referring to the distinctive russet soil of Alabama that’s as much a part of the state’s identity as sweet tea and gospel music. It’s fitting, then, that everything about this performance felt deeply grounded in place and purpose.
The evening kicked off with the punchy “She’s No Good” before transitioning into the road-weary “Ramblin’,” as lead singer Brandon Coleman commanded the stage with a voice that carries the weight of the South—gritty, soulful, and utterly unpolished in the best possible way. Flanked by Drew Nix’s blistering guitar work and backed by the locked-in rhythm section of Andrew Bishop and John Hall, with Zach Rishel adding layers of texture, the band tore through a 23-song set that showcased exactly why they’ve become one of America’s most talked-about acts.
Coleman’s songwriting has always been the band’s secret weapon, and witnessing these songs live makes it impossible to miss the emotional weight behind every word. This isn’t a frontman going through the motions—Coleman pours genuine feeling into each line, and you can hear the personal battles, the faith struggles, and the hard-won hope that he’s channeled into the material. The visceral connection between artist and audience was palpable throughout the evening.
The setlist was a masterclass in pacing and emotional dynamics. Early highlights like “Stone’s Throw” and “Disaster” established the band’s signature blend of electric rock and southern soul—that genre-defying sound that producer Dave Cobb helped refine on their 2024 album. “Do Me Wrong” and “People Hatin'” kept the energy high, while “Revival” and “Doin’ Time” leaned into darker territory, exploring the loneliness and depression that Coleman has said Made By These Moments confronts head-on.
What makes The Red Clay Strays so compelling is their lack of artifice. There are no pyrotechnics, no elaborate stage productions, no gimmicks whatsoever. They don’t need them. This is a band that proves its potency through sheer musical force and emotional honesty. The connection they forge with their audience isn’t manufactured—it’s earned through songs that cut to the bone and performances that hold nothing back.
A mid-set shift brought welcome intimacy when guitarist Drew Nix took lead vocals on “Between the Lines,” showcasing the band’s collaborative spirit and adding another dimension to the evening. “Moments” and “Drowning” built the emotional stakes before “Devil in My Ear” delivered a cathartic punch.
Then came one of the night’s most powerful stretches. Coleman moved to the piano for stripped-down versions of “Sunshine” and “Ghost,” the vulnerability of the solo performances amplifying the raw emotion in his voice. The crowd fell silent, hanging on every note—proof that sometimes less truly is more.
But it was what happened next that elevated the evening from great to truly unforgettable. In a moment that wasn’t on the original setlist, Coleman dedicated “Do Today” to a young girl in the audience whose father had recently passed away. The gesture was spontaneous, heartfelt, and utterly devastating in its sincerity. This is who The Red Clay Strays are at their core—a band that understands their music isn’t just entertainment, but a lifeline for people navigating real pain. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
The emotional weight carried through as the band launched into their viral smash “Wondering Why”—which has racked up over 100 million streams and conquered multiple Billboard charts. The audience sang every word back at the band, the collective catharsis palpable. The spiritual trio of “I’m Still Fine,” “On My Knees,” and the main set closer transformed the venue into something resembling a secular church, exploring themes of faith and redemption with an honesty that never felt preachy.
The four-song encore was nothing short of transcendent. “Will the Lord Remember Me” and “God Does” continued the spiritual journey, Coleman’s delivery cracking with genuine emotion. “Wanna Be Loved,” now a staple from Made By These Moments, has clearly grown into a fan favorite over the past year, its themes of longing and connection striking just as powerfully as when the band first performed it on The Tonight Show back in 2024.
Coleman closed the night with “No One Else Like Me,” a fitting statement from a band that truly occupies their own lane. They’re not quite country, not quite rock, not quite soul—they’re all of it, filtered through the red clay of Alabama and delivered with conviction.
If there’s a criticism, it’s that the sound mix occasionally buried Coleman’s vocals beneath the guitars during the heavier moments, though his raw power cut through regardless. But these are minor quibbles for a band that has successfully navigated the rapid ascent from clubs to theatres to arenas—and even stadium slots supporting The Rolling Stones.
The Red Clay Strays have tapped into something essential: the idea that our pain has purpose, that our struggles are universal, and that rock’n’roll can still offer redemption. In an era of overproduced performances and carefully curated personas, they stand as a reminder that sometimes the most powerful thing a band can do is simply be real. The emotional rawness, the unvarnished delivery, the songs that clearly mean something to the people performing them, and the willingness to step off-script to comfort a grieving child—this is what makes a show truly unforgettable.
As Coleman and company completed their sold-out run across America and beyond, it’s clear they’re not just having a moment—they’re being made by these moments. And we’re all the better for witnessing it.
https://www.redclaystrays.com/
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