Chris Robinson Brotherhood Busts Out ‘Sweet Virginia’ In Portsmouth

The Chris Robinson Brotherhood was scheduled to perform in Charlottesville on Saturday as violence in the Virginia city was hitting a peak. After the state’s Governor declared an emergency, the CRB decided to postpone the concert in Charlottesville until October 8. The CRB tipped their proverbial hat to the civil unrest in Charlottesville by dusting off “Sweet Virginia” on Tuesday night at The Music Hall in Portsmouth, New Hampshire for the first time in over two years.

Chris Robinson & Co. have finally started unveiling live versions of the songs from the group’s recently released studio album, Barefoot In The Head. Tuesday’s show featured the live debut of “She Shares My Blanket” in the first set. Portsmouth fans were also treated to the band’s first ever cover of “Time Was” by Canned Heat. All told, Tuesday’s concert featured five songs off Barefoot In The Head. For the encore, the CRB covered “Sweet Virginia” off The Rolling Stones’ iconic Exile On Main St. album for the first time since May 30, 2015. The Chris Robinson Brotherhood debuted “Sweet Virginia” on May 1, 2015 and played it just four times before shelving it until Tuesday night’s show.

Listen to “Sweet Virginia” thanks to Ted Gakidis’s audience recording: