Samantha Fish | Aggie Theatre | 9/8/2025

Samantha Fish and her band rolled into the Aggie Theatre last night to present the 2025 Paper Doll Tour. Fish’s newest album release of the same name was a hot topic among fans with the anticipation of hearing the new material in a live concert setting. When Fish appeared on stage, the temperature in the room quickly pegged into the red. Dressed in all black with silver accents, she looked like a rock goddess on a mission to slay the audience into rock n’ roll submission. Her guitar skills were fiercely executed right out of the gate, establishing the audience’s full attention immediately. Her vocal power exploded from her chest with rich clarity and pitch-perfect delivery. Her guitar playing is simply an extension of her at this point, and when you spend that much time with something, it inevitably attaches itself to your soul.

Opening the show with a blistering version of Kick Out The Jams by the band MC5 set the tone for a fantastic evening of rock and roll. Also playing tunes from Paper Doll and material from several different eras of her musical journey, there was a wide eclectic musical palette for the fans to enjoy. Fish was in good company on stage with one of the best rhythm sections in the business. Ron Johnson on bass and Jamie Douglass on drums provided a thick, chunky foundation of soulful low-end. They are both gurus of the groove who can literally lay down any kind of musical vibe. They were both tuned into what Fish was doing at all times, creating an unstoppable synergy between them. It’s always cool to see a guitar player, bass player, and drummer work so uniformly, and when you do, it’s pure magic. Mickey Finn on keyboards added his musical magic to the kaleidoscope of sound with cascading rhythmic arrangements and meticulously tasteful solos. His playing style was melodic and theme-oriented; he was creating imagery through his fingers that filled the room with class and power.

The show had explosive momentum, gut-punching guitar work, sweaty swagger, softer introspective elements, and plenty of charisma. The packed Monday night crowd was all in as Fish let loose on their senses. The way she positioned herself with her guitar felt commanding and free. Her head-turning musical craftsmanship steered the band’s ship into a blues-rock-infused adventure of melodic moods and tempos. The audience looked on with wonderment and intrigue at the situation unfolding before them. Fish and her band are simply playing rock n’ roll in its purest form. She is a musical pioneer in many respects. She travels the world evolving with the times, the ever-changing music industry, and the listening audience. She challenges herself, her fans, and her never-ending ambition of artistic freedom.

Fish’s work ethic is unsurpassed, and her stage swagger and style stand alone. Fish exuded fierceness, boldness, and high-energy emotion as she blended rock and roll, blues, and soul music into a contemporary tapestry of individuality and expression. Her time on the road all over the world has served her well. She continues to harness energy from her always evolving lifestyle and musical influences by putting pencil to paper, and for that her devoted fans are always grateful and one hundred percent in her corner. Check out Fish’s new album Paper Doll and be prepared to be hooked!

Many people over the years have asked me about Samantha Fish and what she’s all about. I have known Samantha for almost a decade and have seen much of her musical transformation as an artist firsthand. Typically, the first thing I tell curious music fans is that Fish is constantly exploring her creativity and willingness to expand her musical aspirations. I also tell them she has cover-girl looks and guitar chops that can make Buddy Guy blush. Fish is not only a rock and blues guitarist, songwriter, and singer—she is helping to carry the blues-rock genre into the future.

What a remarkable gig last night in Fort Collins. Fish and her band worked collectively, capturing the true essence of a rock show. The audience felt the band’s presence and power being unleashed upon them as they were drawn into Fish’s musical conversation. Fish has a way of blending vulnerability, punch-in-the-gut guitar prowess, confidence, and emotions into one high-octane live music experience. We can’t wait to see what she does next.

Thanks to the Aggie Theatre for hosting. Thanks to the production team, staff, and guests. Special thanks to Samantha, Ron, Jamie, and Mickey. Thanks to Danny for keeping the wheels turning, and thanks for including Fort Collins on your tour agenda.