Black Pumas are finally back on the road, touring in support of the band’s long-awaited sophomore album Chronicles of a Diamond. After a soft opening of shows late last year in their native Texas, the Austin-bred neo-psychedelic soul band kicked off the tour in earnest this month with stops through major cities, including a three-night run at Chicago’s The Salt Shed.
After making a splash with their 2019 Grammy-nominated self-titled debut, Black Pumas went on to conquer the indie circuit with a string of award-nominated reissues and constant touring around the globe (once COVID allowed). Then in August 2022, the band fronted by singer Eric Burton and multi-instrumentalist/producer Adrian Quesada abruptly cleared all of their tour dates. After nearly a year of radio silence from the band, it appeared that the Black Pumas story ended as suddenly as it began.
So it came as a shocking relief when last summer, just over a year after going into hibernation, Black Pumas suddenly came roaring back to life by announcing their highly anticipated second album, Chronicles of a Diamond. Now, the band is back in full force with a nationwide tour featuring headlining appearances and festival dates scheduled into the summer.
The band’s natural charisma hasn’t faltered through its brief period of inactivity, fueled by the smooth, easy confidence of frontman Eric Burton. The band peppered in new instant classics from Chronicles of a Diamond throughout its 17-song shows at The Salt Shed, along with their landmark hits from Black Pumas like the show-opening “Fire”, “Black Moon Rising”, and the set-closing “Colors”. Giving everyone a chance to bask in his magnetic glow, Burton even went to the upstairs balcony to give an up-close-and-personal performance of Tracy Chapman‘s “Fast Car” to kick off the encore, before the show ended with a fittingly jumping “Rock and Roll”.
Check out a gallery of images from Black Pumas at The Salt Shed courtesy of photographer Daniel Ojeda along with some fan-shot videos. The band’s tour continues next weekend with a string of appearances in California. Visit Black Pumas’ website for tickets and a full list of tour dates.
Black Pumas – “Fire” – 1/25/24
[Video: Rockin Rick Belanger]
Setlist: Black Pumas | The Salt Shed | Chicago, IL | 1/26/24
Set: Fire, Gemini Sun, Know You Better, Black Moon Rising, Tomorrow, Sauvignon, Ice Cream (Pay Phone), Angel, More Than a Love Song, Chronicles of a Diamond, Mrs. Postman. Sugar Man [1], Confines, OCT 33, Colors
Encore: Fast Car [2], Rock and Roll
[1] Rodriguez
[2] Tracy Chapman, Eric Burton performed from the upstairs balcony of premium seats
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