Tonight’s Concert Pick: Alabama Shakes at World Cafe Live

Bands that get together in high school rarely stick together past graduation. But when Brittany Howard approached Zac Cockrell on a whim in high school and asked him to start a band with her—knowing nothing besides the fact that he played the bass and wore t-shirts from obscure bands—they somehow made it work. With the addition of drummer Steve Johnson and guitarist Heath Fogg, Alabama Shakes formed in 2009. The southern rock band had impressed fans and critics with their blues-rock sound and Howard’s deep, throaty voice. But despite the attention the members of Alabama Shakes have received in the past year, they still consider themselves a small town band from Athens, Alabama. Alabama Shakes performs with Lee Bains III And The Glory at 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live; tickets to the all-ages show are SOLD OUT. —Nicole Soll