Bringing their Werewolf Tour to the 9:30 Club, the Nashville-based quintet The Brook & The Bluff recently showed off their chops to balance a high-octane performance energy while sprinkling in a handful of more intimate acoustic moments. It was a highly engaging night that captivated the 1,200 fans in attendance.
At exactly 9:15pm on March 23, the atmosphere shifted dramatically as the house lights began to dim. Suddenly, the entire venue was silent, as the synth of “Sirius” by The Alan Parsons Project crept in. This choice of a walk-out song, famously used by the Chicago Bulls, immediately established a tone for the night. This was a serious band that knew how to have some fun.
The group immediately shot right into “Werewolf,” the title and opening track of their new record. The song’s crunchier guitar riffs showcased the band’s more modern turn to a heavier, grittier sound, and the crowd was ready for it. With the fifth studio album, only released a mere seventeen days prior, there was a roar of fans who knew each and every line.
Watch The Brook & The Bluff perform “Werewolf” live on YouTube:
The momentum carried into the performance of “Super Bowl Sunday,” a piece that served as a blend of the new and old sound. It brought back the classic laid-back groove with the punch of a heavier guitar and an anthem of a chorus. Live, the track benefited largely from Alec Bolton’s inspiring lead guitar work.
The visual elements of the show were relatively stripped back compared to most tours. It was very effective in this case, using the lighting to reflect the mood rather than create it, leaving it to the musicians to foster that feeling. The stage would shift between light golden hues and deep reds and blues. The Brook & The Bluff demonstrated great showmanship, always keeping the pacing appropriate, making sure the audience wasn’t tired of the constant sound, taking the occasional speaking break, and checking in on the audience. At one point, asking, “Are we absolutely brooking our bluffs right now?” The club responded with some very excited screams.
The band brought back a recurring element of their show, heavily encouraging audience participation. During “Off the Lawn,” the band began swaying in sync and told the crowd, “If you’ve seen us before, you know what to do!” Soon, the entire venue was swaying in sync with the band.
Watch The Brook and The Bluff perform “Off the Lawn” live with WSHL 91.3 on YouTube:
Toward the middle of the set, the production shifted more into the band’s folk-country roots. A standout moment during the more acoustic side of the set was the performance of “Rush.” The vocalization on this track was simply spectacular as lead vocalist Joseph Settine and guitarist Alec Bolton harmonized on the elongated lyric “ruuush.” The blend was so seamless, along with the backing vocals of the other members.
As the evening drew to its close, the band easily wove through their older hits like “Halfway Up” and their new rock-oriented material. The softer-sounding “Doobie Bronson” proved to be a fitting ending to the set. Ending with warm, slightly vintage tones was a great way to ease the comedown from the thrilling set.
Having seen The Brook & The Bluff about a year ago as an opener at The Anthem, I can say with confidence that they have matured as artists. The setlist has evolved from soft pop/rock to a much heavier and more full sounding composure. The band was able to impressively blend their older sound with this new swamp-rock grit and boogie, balancing it all with impressive vocals and harmonization throughout the set.
Here are some photos of The Brook & The Bluff performing live at 9:30 Club on March 23, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Caden Forrester.
