Tysons, VA December 5th, 2023 By Dan Rozman Photos by Mark Raker
The Allman Betts Band Family Revival brought their blend of southern rock, blues, and Americana to Capital One Hall in Tysons, Virginia on December 5th. Led by Devon Allman, son of Gregg Allman, and Duane Betts, son of Dickey Betts, the band treated the packed crowd to a night of Allman Brothers Band classics mixed with new originals.
The new Capital One Hall is a beautiful venue with great acoustics. In fact it is so nice that the band was afraid people would be too restrained during the show, no worries they weren’t. Before he started playing, Jackie Greene encouraged that crowd by saying “It’s a nice venue and all, but you can go completely apeshit with us and have fun with it.”
After the Introduction, the band kicked things off with “Wash in D”. Devon then took over vocals for the nautical-themed “Sailin’ Cross the Devil’s Sea” before bringing out special guest Jimmy Hall of Wet Willie fame to help the band sail through a fun rendition of “Statesboro Blues.” Jimmy stuck around to add his signature vocals and harmonica to “No One Left to Run With,” which also featured additional guests Mattie Schell, Greg Koch, and Devon himself joining the party onstage.
The guests kept on coming all night, with blues-rock guitarist Ally Venable, who said “I’m so grateful to be here with all my friends playing some amazing music” before lending her smoky vocals to Gregg Allman’s “I’m No Angel” and Jackie Greene contributing his gritty voice to “Mellisa.” Slide guitar master Luther Dickinson of North Mississippi Allstars fame dueled with Duane Betts on Dickey’s “Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More” while Louisiana bluesman Larry McCray threw down on “Soulshine” alongside Jackson Stokes. Being in the area brought back memories for Stokes, “I grew up coming up here to see my grandfather on my mother’s side. She lived in Arlington and I have fond memories of going to museums when I was a youngster.” The first set closed with beautiful renditions of the classics “Blue Sky” and “Dreams” that featured Devon, Larry McCray, and Luther Dickinson all trading solos.
Check out the full gallery of photos from this night by Mark Raker here.
The second set brought even more special guests, opening with “Seven Turns” featuring Duane Betts and Mattie Schell on vocals and mandolin before Ghalia Volt brought her bluesy vocals to “Pony Boy.” Mattie returned to sing “Come and Go Blues” alongside Ghalia in a show-stopping performance. John Stachela helped the group jam through the iconic instrumental “Jessica” highlighted by a mind-bending slide guitar intro from Duane Betts. Local DC guitarist Linwood Taylor surprised the crowd when he came out to trade licks with Devon on a fiery “One Way Out” that included Jackie Greene, and Larry McCray.
Roots rocker Anders Osborne also sat in, contributing his low, soulful vocals. Osborne led the band through a version of “Ramblin’ Man” that had the crowd on their feet.
The crowd sang along loudly to the encore of “Whipping Post” and “Midnight Rider,” with almost every guest from the evening cramming the stage. It was a celebratory end to a magical evening of music that honored the Allman Brothers’ legacy while carving its own path into the future. Led by Devon and Duane, the Allman Betts Band Family Revival proved the spirit of southern rock is alive and well.
Setlist provided by the band:
Set 1
Intro
Wash in D
Sailin’ Cross the Devil’s Sea – Devon Allman
Statesboro Blues – Jimmy Hall
No One Left To Run With – Jimmy, Devon, Mattie Schell, and Greg Koch
I’m No Angel – Ally Venable
Mellisa – Jackie Greene
Ain’t Wastin Time – Tal Wilkenfeld
Soulshine – Larry McCray and Jackson Stokes
Blue Sky – Duane Betts
Dreams – Devon, Larry, Luther Dickinson
Set 2
Seven Turns – Duane and Mattie
Pony Boy -Ghalia Volt
Come & Go Blues – Mattie and Ghalia
Jessica -John Stachela
Guitar Intro – Duane
One Way Out – Devon, Jackie, Larry, and Linwood Taylor
Ramblin’ Man – Anders Osborne
Bass Solo
Whipping Post – Jimmy
Encore
Magnolia Road
Midnight Rider – everyone
Check out the full gallery of photos from this night by Mark Raker here.
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