Brittany Howard Debuts Hardcore Band Kumite
Brittany Howard's new hardcore band, Kumite, played their inaugural show in Nashville on Sunday night (January 12). Check out the fan-made video below.
First Performance in Nashville
Howard, widely recognized as the frontwoman of Alabama Shakes, took the stage at Basement East in East Nashville alongside members of the local hardcore band Second Spirit. This marked their first live performance as Kumite.
The announcement of Howard’s hardcore venture was not unexpected, as they had earlier revealed plans for a “hardcore benefit show” in November to raise funds and food for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee’s Launch Pad and the Southern Movement Committee. The benefit concert featured performances from Snooper, Inner Peace, and Second Spirit.
Fan footage from the performance captures Howard powerfully belting into a microphone over intense drums and gritty guitar riffs.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEwDoHLMo-4/?utm_source=ig_embed
Grammy winner Brittany Howard (Alabama Shakes) is the new band Kumite, covering American Nightmare's “AM/PM.” pic.twitter.com/eB1VPIZrwZ
— P.J. Kinzer (@CivilWarSyndrome) January 13, 2025
Last year, Howard released her solo album, What Now. In a four-star review, NME stated, “(The album) is filled with emotional malaise and confusion, but if anyone has answers about how to navigate our own journeys, you should turn to Howard.”
She also toured as a supporting act for Hozier during his UK tour last summer and is set to launch her own North American tour in 2024.
Reunion News for Alabama Shakes
In other news regarding Alabama Shakes, the band came together last month for the first time in seven years for a surprise concert. They surprised attendees at the Tuscaloosa Get Up 3 benefit concert held at the Bama Theater in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Though Howard was initially scheduled to perform as a solo act at the event, she chose to surprise the crowd by inviting former bandmates Zack Cockrell, Heath Fogg, and Ben Tanner on stage. The band last performed together in August 2017 at the Osheaga Festival before entering an indefinite hiatus.
https://www.nme.com/news/music/kumite-brittany-howards-new-hardcore-band-played-their-first-show-in-nashville-3828533?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kumite-brittany-howards-new-hardcore-band-played-their-first-show-in-nashville
