(Special Report)

Written by: Ginny Gaines   

Every winter, something special happens in the world of Southern rock. It’s not just another tour — it’s a family gathering, a celebration, and a tribute all rolled into one. The Allman Betts Family Revival has become that yearly event where fans of the Allman Brothers Band, and music lovers in general, come together to keep the spirit of that legendary sound alive. This year, in 2025, the Revival marks its ninth annual tour, stretching across 20 cities from late November through December. It’s led by Devon Allman (son of the late Gregg Allman) and Duane Betts (son of Dickey Betts), the two carrying the torch of their fathers’ iconic band while adding their own new energy and songs to the mix.

The 2025 Revival kicks off in St. Louis on November 29 and rolls through cities like Atlanta, New York, Austin, Los Angeles, and San Francisco before wrapping up just before Christmas. These shows aren’t just concerts, they’re big, joyful jams that feel like part church service, part homecoming party. The venues are intimate theaters and historic music halls, the kinds of places where you can really feel the sound of the guitars bouncing off the walls and see the smiles of the players as they trade solos and stories. Fans know that no two nights are ever the same.

The core of the tour is The Allman Betts Band, but the Revival is famous for its rotating cast of special guests, friends, collaborators, and fellow travelers in the world of rock, blues, and Americana. This year’s lineup includes names like Robert Randolph, Amanda Shires, Luther and Cody Dickinson, Jimmy Hall, Eric Johnson, Charlie Starr, Dweezil Zappa, G. Love, and several others who pop up throughout the tour. Each show has its own mix of guests, which keeps things unpredictable. One night might lean into blues and slide guitar jams, while another might pull toward country-soul or psychedelic rock. For the fans, that surprise factor is half the fun.

The Revival’s setlist is a blend of Allman Brothers classics — like “Melissa,” “Midnight Rider,” “Blue Sky,” and “Whipping Post”, alongside songs by The Allman Betts Band, including “Magnolia Road” and “All Night.” The band also throws in unexpected covers and long jam sections that give everyone on stage a chance to shine. It’s that kind of musical freedom with guitars dueling, harmonies building, solos stretching out, that keeps audiences locked in for hours. Each show ends up feeling like a living, breathing tribute to the Allman Brothers Band’s legacy, yet it also is like a statement that this music isn’t frozen in time. It’s evolving with each new generation.

Devon Allman started this tour as a way to honor his father’s life and music, but over the years it’s turned into something much bigger, a community that stretches across the country. The Revival is now an annual tradition for many fans, something they look forward to as much as the holidays themselves. Every year, the family gets a little bigger, with new faces joining the lineup and fresh collaborations happening on stage. It’s not about recreating the past, but more importantly, it’s about celebrating the roots while planting new ones.

Those who’ve caught past Revivals say it’s one of the most heartfelt tours out there. The musicianship is top-notch, but the heart is what really shines through. Critics call it a “traveling celebration of Southern soul,” and fans simply call it “magical.” Whether it’s at the Beacon Theatre in New York (where the Allman Brothers famously held marathon runs) or down South in Atlanta and Austin, the Revival continues to capture that same spirit of togetherness and musical freedom that made the Allman Brothers Band so beloved in the first place.

In many ways, The Allman Betts Family Revival isn’t just about looking back, but more about, passing the music forward. Devon and Duane have built something that feels timeless: a show where the past and present jam side by side, and where every note carries a piece of family history. As the 2025 tour rolls through the U.S., it’s clear this “family revival” is more than just a tribute — it’s a living tradition, still growing, still rocking, and still full of soul. As the 2025 tour rolls through the U.S., it’s clear this “family revival” is more than just a tribute, it’s a living tradition, still growing, still rocking, and still full of soul.

That will do it for this report on The Allman Betts Family Revival. Thank you for reading!! In closing, please just know, Soundwave Music Media will be here and I will always do my best to bring you the rock music report! Please consider supporting me and the crew by purchasing a Soundwave shirt or hat and support our sponsors! Until next time... Rock on friends🤘

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