It may have been a Monday night in San Francisco, but inside the Fillmore, it felt like the weekend had come early. Samantha Fish took the stage and turned the storied venue into a cathedral of blues-drenched rock ‘n’ roll, leaving no doubt that the genre is alive and well.
Striding out in a one-piece leather bell-bottom ensemble studded like something straight from Elvis‘ Vegas days, Fish commanded the room before even striking her first note. If you’ve never seen her live, her guitar selection alone could double as an art exhibit. One after another, each instrument she picked up seemed more beautiful than the last—vintage, shimmering, and dripping with personality.
Fish’s sound, however, stole the spotlight. She fused raw Hendrix-inspired guitar solos with the swagger of Zeppelin and a vocal ferocity that summoned Janis Joplin’s spirit. Each riff felt like a love letter to the legends, yet uniquely her own, pushing boundaries while staying rooted in tradition. Her voice soared with both grit and vulnerability, blending seamlessly with the relentless energy of her band.
The rhythm section deserves its own ovation. Ron Johnson laid down irresistibly funky bass grooves, injecting his sound into Fish’s blues foundation, while drummer Jamie Douglass pounded his kit with thunderous intensity. Together, they added a modern edge to her vintage sound, creating something fresh yet timeless.
The crowd reflected that energy back tenfold. The Fillmore’s floor pulsed with fans young and old, hands raised and heads nodding to every note. Samantha Fish didn’t just play—she ignited a shared experience, one that transcended the fatigue of a Monday night.
In a time when many question the future of rock ‘n’ roll, Fish delivered a resounding answer. It’s alive, thriving, and in very capable hands. As the final notes rang out, the crowd roared in agreement: this wasn’t just a concert—it was a revival.
Photos by Louis Raphael
