One of rock & roll’s most iconic and unapologetic bands, The Black Crowes return to Australia after their massive global reunion. Since reforming in 2019, the Robinson Brothers have reignited the fire that made them one of the most electrifying live acts on the planet—playing more than 150 shows across 20 countries.
Their last record Happiness Bastards earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Rock Album and a 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nod, underscoring the band’s continued relevance and influence. Expect timeless hits including Remedy, She Talks to Angels, and Hard to Handle, performed with the raw energy, soul, and swagger that define The Black Crowes.
The Black Crowes’ guitarist Rich Robinson joined Australian Musician’s Greg Phillips from upstate New York to discuss a huge year ahead for The Black Crowes, including an extensive US tour, the release of their new album A Pound of Feathers (out March 13), and a much-anticipated return to Australia for Bluesfest and side shows. Check out the audio interview below.
MORE ABOUT THE INTERVIEW
Robinson explained that, despite the scale of the tour, rehearsals will be minimal, just four or five days, reflecting the band’s long-standing philosophy of keeping things loose and instinctive. With songs drawn from across the band’s entire catalogue, including unreleased material and the new record, the Crowes will have a deep and varied setlist to pull from. The touring lineup remains a six-piece band with two singers.
Looking back on past Australian visits, Robinson recalled the band’s first trip in the early 1990s around the release of The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, noting that every tour Down Under has been memorable. He spoke warmly about Australian audiences and his excitement about returning to Byron Bay and Bluesfest’s unique atmosphere.
Onstage, Robinson’s guitar approach remains characteristically expansive. While he often travels with up to 40 guitars in the US due to his use of multiple tunings, he’ll scale that down to around 20 for Australia. He also praised his brother Chris Robinson’s enduring vocal strength, describing his performances as “stellar.”
The conversation turned to the upcoming album A Pound of Feathers, which was produced by Jay Joyce at his Nashville studio, a converted church. Robinson described the album as one of the band’s most immediate and spontaneous recordings, with much of it built collaboratively in the studio by Rich, Chris, and drummer Brian Griffin before expanding further. The result, he said, is a diverse and adventurous record that still sounds unmistakably like The Black Crowes, driven by Chris’s voice and Rich’s guitar style.
Robinson also reflected on his slide guitar influences, citing Muddy Waters, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Ry Cooder, Lowell George, and Duane Allman, and explained his preference for a heavy brass slide inspired by George’s approach. He spoke enthusiastically about sharing stages with legendary players over the years, including Derek Trucks, Jimmy Page, Ronnie Wood, and Joe Perry.
Addressing the often-discussed sibling friction between himself and Chris, Robinson acknowledged that while conflicts were sometimes unnecessary, the life experiences they created may have indirectly shaped his songwriting. He also paid tribute to AC/DC’s Malcolm Young as one of the greatest rhythm guitarists of all time and praised the musical chemistry he now shares with fellow guitarist Nico Bereciartua.
Wrapping up, Robinson said what he’s most looking forward to on the Australian tour is reconnecting with the crowds and soaking up the energy of Bluesfest, an event he remembers as having an unbeatable vibe.
THE BLACK CROWES 2026 AUSTRALIAN DATES
Friday 3 April: The Forum, Melbourne
Sunday 5 April: Bluesfest, Byron Bay
Monday 6 April: Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane
Thursday 9 April: Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Friday 10 April: Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle
https://www.bluesfesttours.com.au
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