Ana Popovic came to Rams Head On Stage in Annapolis, Maryland, for a matinee show. I had heard good things about her and decided to check out the show. First off, let me acknowledge what an impressive career she’s had. Not to pigeon-hole her as simply a great blues guitarist, but she’s played with the most well-known blues musicians of our time — Buddy Guy, Eric Johnson, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, BB King, Joe Bonamassa, Gary Clark Jr. She toured as a special guest with maybe the greatest singer of them all: Solomon Burke. And Bruce Springsteen called her, “one helluva guitar-player.” Quite the resume.
Her last album, POWER, which was written during COVID and while she was undergoing treatment for breast cancer, hit No. 1 on the Billboards Blues Charts.
Ana’s music certainly can’t be pigeon-holed. I’ve never heard anything quite like it, and I struggle to find a concise way to describe it to you. She blends a unique mix of rock, pop, blues, R&B, and even a little disco to create her own soulful, danceable soundtrack. The consistent thread is her graceful, tasteful guitar playing. Sure, she can absolutely shred, but it all seemed to be done in support of the song, without any ego involved.
Stream Power by Ana Popovic on Spotify:
Currently residing in Los Angeles, she was born in Serbia and spent significant time in the Netherlands and Memphis, which undoubtedly contributed to her musical taste and style. At Rams Head On Stage on Jan. 11, she was accompanied by a very talented band that added to the energy of the performance. The band worked without a setlist, effortlessly flowing from one song to the next, shifting genres and taking turns being featured. Ana has said, “We write to accommodate our live show. To inspire the band. Cause the live show is where it’s at, for us. That’s my passion and that’s my quest in music.”
That passion was evident. The crowd definitely appreciated the show, giving her multiple standing ovations.
Her set was a mix of older songs and several songs from her latest album, including a cover of Paul Simon’s “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover”:
Rise Up!
Power Over Me
Ride It
Queen of the Pack
Strong Taste
50 Ways to Leave Your Lover (Paul Simon cover)
Sho Nuf
California Chase
Soulution
Doin’ This
Brand New Man
Like It on Top
Lasting Kind of Love
Dance to the Rhythm
Turn my Luck (encore)
Those of you who know me know that I’m mainly a photographer, not a writer, and this is only my second concert review. I’m still figuring out the best way to take notes while taking pictures of the show. Fortunately for me, Ana was kind enough to take the time to write down her setlist for me, after sticking around and talking to all of her fans.
Her tour continues across the US through February, before heading over to Europe. And her outlook is bright. ìI’m ready to keep celebrating life through music. That’s where I am now, and happily, I don’t want to look back.”
All quotes are taken from anapopovich.com.
Here are some photos of Ana Popovic performing live at Rams Head on Stage on Jan. 11, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Steve Satzberg.
