Closing out the night on the Cherry Lot stage from 9-10:30pm will be Bloodshot Records’ very own Barrence Whitfield & the Savages. They’ll be performing at BBB as part of their “Under the Savage Sky” 2017 tour.
Billboard Magazine writes, “A Boston-based singer of what one might refer to as “traditional” R&B (i.e.,’50s- and ’60s-style), Barrence Whitfield is the owner of one incredible pair of lungs and limitless energy and enthusiasm for his music. A soul screamer in the spirit of Little Richard, Wilson Pickett, Solomon Burke, and early Don Covay, Whitfield & the Savages, though never breaking big nationally, are a great cult act, a triumph of substance over style, with a bunch of terrific records to boot.”
In 1984, the band released their self-titled debut album, mostly comprising cover versions of obscure soul and R&B songs. It received critical reviews. The following year, they released a second album, Dig Yourself, on Rounder Records. Their music gained great popularity in the UK and was championed by Robert Plant and Elvis Costello. In the years since, the band has released 11 additional albums.
Barrence Whitfield & the Savages have toured widely in Europe, and won supporting slots on major US tours by artists including Bo Diddley, Tina Turner, George Thorogood, Robert Cray, and and Solomon Burke. Back home Whitfield has earned numerous Boston Music Awards. They will be performing at BBB during the recording of their forthcoming new album. Be sure to come out and see them close BBB 2017!