Article Contributed by Doug Deutsch
Published on 2026-08-12
“Louisiana’s Living Legend,” Bayou Blues guitarist-vocalist Tab Benoit, continues his 2026 year-long high-energy “Soul Of The Swamp” Tour with a performance at Fox Theatre, 17 W. Congress St., in Tucson on Friday, August 21. Show time is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $24-$67.
Opening for Benoit is fast-rising UK-based Americana-rock group the Zac Schulze Gang, who released Straight To It via Ruf Records last September to critical acclaim.
“Benoit cries, ‘you need a bayou man like me/to come along/and save you,’ before shredding a solo which inspires a standing ovation,” writes Spotlight Central in New Jersey Stage, reviewing Benoit’s Atlantic City show from this past July.
“Multiple BMA winner Tab Benoit excelled on his beat-up 1972 Telecaster, delivering masterful guitar rhythms and dynamics,” wrote Jim Hynes of Rock & Blues Muse, reviewing Tab’s set at the Briggs Farm Blues Festival, also last July. “His soulful vocals and visibly tight chemistry with his trio were on display as he worked his way through an emotional roller coaster, mixing aching soul ballads with incendiary up-tempo burners, as his guitar reached stratospheric levels.”
“You could certainly feel (Tab’s) ’72 Telecaster, plugged straight into his amp, scream, cry, laugh, and love from the first note,” writes Atlanta Concert Reviews’ Andrew Argresta in an April 2026 review. “(Benoit’s) entire performance was driven by feel. No setlist, no rules, just what felt right. The way he plays is encompassing, and being in the room felt therapeutic.”
As for the band, Agresta enthused, “they were completely locked in. It was hard to believe that wall of sound was coming from just three musicians.”
I Hear Thunder marked Benoit’s triumphant return to releasing new albums, charting No. 1 on the Billboard Blues Chart during September 2024. The following year, 2025, saw the Bayou Blues guitarist win four Blues Blast Music Awards: Rock Blues Album for I Hear Thunder, Blues Band, Male Blues Artist and Electric Guitarist of the Year. The victories were real acknowledgement by Tab’s peers for a much-deserving longtime musician.
Benoit’s journey began in 1992 with a radio hit from his debut record Nice and Warm. Since then, he has received multiple Blues Music Awards and four Grammy nominations. Beyond the music, Benoit is celebrated for his years of activism, particularly concerning the Louisiana Wetlands and coastal erosion. He seamlessly intertwines his artistic brilliance with a profound commitment to environmental advocacy, ensuring his legacy extends beyond the stage into the heart of the land that inspires his bluesy soul. Benoit does more than play the blues; he defines its future while paying homage to its rich past.
I Hear Thunder was released in 2024 via Benoit’s imprint, Whiskey Bayou Records, formed in 2017 with Tab’s partner and manager, Rueben Williams. Since its inception, the label has released albums by established artists such as Eric McFadden, Damon Fowler, Eric Johanson, Jeff McCarty and Dash Rip Rock. Tab also proudly features his touring band on the record, with bassist Corey Duplechin and drummer Terence Higgins solidifying the powerhouse lineup.
TAB BENOIT TOUR DATES
Aug 21 — Tucson, AZ — Fox Theatre*
Aug 22 — Phoenix, AZ — MIM*
Aug 23 — Phoenix, AZ — MIM*
Aug 25 — Pioneertown, CA — Pappy & Harriet’s*
Aug 27 — Solana Beach, CA — Belly Up Tavern*
Aug 28 — San Juan Capistrano, CA — Belly Up Tavern*
Aug 29 — Bakersfield, CA — World Records*
Aug 30 — Venice, CA — Venice West*
Sept 2 — Monterey, CA — Golden State Theatre*
Sept 3 — Berkeley, CA — Cornerstone*
Sept 4 — Sacramento, CA — Quarry Park Amphitheatre*
Sept 5 — Napa, CA — Uptown Theatre*
Sept 6 — Lake Tahoe, CA — The Hangar*
Sept 8 — Fresno, CA — Tower Theatre*
Sept 10-13 — Las Vegas, NV — Big Blues Bender
Sept 17 — Englewood, CO — The Gothic*
Sept 19-20 — Telluride, CO — Telluride Blues & Brews Festival
Oct 1 — Minneapolis, MN — Pantages Theater*****
Oct 2 — Green Bay, WI — Green Bay Event Center*****
Oct 3 — Stoughton, WI — Stoughton Opera House*****
Oct 4 — Des Plaines, IL — Des Plaines Theatre*****
Oct 7 — Three Oaks, MI — The Acorn*****
Oct 8 — Columbus, OH — Lincoln Theatre*
Oct 9 — Cincinnati, OH — Taft Theatre*
Oct 10 — Wabash, IN — Eagles Theatre*
Oct 11 — Cleveland, OH — House of Blues*
Oct 14 — Warrendale, PA — Jergels Rhythm Grille*
Oct 15 — Buffalo, NY — Town Ballroom*
Oct 16 — Homer, NY — Center for the Arts of Homer*
Oct 17 — Kingston, NY — Assembly Kingston*
Oct 18 — Northampton, MA — Academy of Music*****
Oct 20 — New Braunfels, TX — Gruene Hall****
Oct 21 — Red Bank, NJ — The Vogel*
Oct 22 — Old Saybrook, CT — Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Ctr*****
Oct 23 — Fairfield, CT — Sacred Heart Community Theatre*****
Oct 24 — Lebanon, NH — Lebanon Opera House*
Oct 25 — Groton, MA — Groton Hill Music Center*
Nov 5 — Charlotte, NC — Neighborhood Theatre****
Nov 6 — Walhalla, SC — Walhalla Performing Arts Center****
Nov 7 — Newberry, SC — Newberry Opera House****
Nov 8 — Charleston, SC — Charleston Music Hall****
Nov 11 — Atlanta, GA — Variety Playhouse****
Nov 12 — Foley, AL — Owa Theatre****
Nov 13 — Biloxi, MS — Hard Rock Live****
Nov 14 — Jackson, MS — Martin’s****
Nov 15 — Little Rock, AR — Little Rock Hall****
Nov 18 — Houston, TX — The Heights Theater****
Nov 19 — Dallas, TX — Longhorn Ballroom****
Nov 20 — New Braunfels, TX — Gruene Hall****
Nov 21 — Cedar Park, TX — Haute Spot****
Dec 3 — Hopewell, VA — Beacon Theatre**
Dec 4 — Virginia Beach, VA — Elevation 27**
Dec 5 — Charlottesville, VA — Jefferson Theater**
Dec 9 — State College, PA — The State Theater**
Dec 10 — Hartford, CT — Infinity Hall**
Dec 11 — Derry, NH — Tupelo Music Hall**
Dec 13 — Saratoga Springs, NY — Universal Preservation Hall**
Dec 15 — Alexandria, VA — The Birchmere**
Dec 16 — Phoenixville, PA — The Colonial Theatre**
Dec 17 — Norwalk, CT — Infinity Hall**
Dec 18 — Huntington, NY — The Paramount**
Feb 5 — New Orleans, LA — Tipitina’s*******
Feb 12 — Dothan, AL — Dothan’s Opera House*******
Feb 19 — Macon, GA — Capitol Theatre — co-headline w/ Duane Betts
Feb 25 — Philadelphia, MS — Ellis Theater*******
Feb 27 — Lake Charles, LA — L’Auberge Casino Hotel*******
April 2 — Greenville, SC — Coach Music Factory*
April 9 — Miramar Beach, FL — Seascape Resort — Festival
April 11 — Tampa, FL — Tampa Bay Music Festival
April 14 — Stuart, FL — The Lyric Theatre*
April 16 — Ormond Beach, FL — Ormond Beach Performing Arts Ctr.
April 18 — Ponte Vedra, FL — Ponte Vedra Concert Hall*
Sept 9-12 — Las Vegas, NV — Big Blues Bender
* w/ Zac Schulze Gang
** w/ Bonerama
*** w/ The Cold Stares
**** w/ Jesse Dayton
***** w/ Ghalia Volt
****** w/ Damon Fowler
******* w/ Duane Betts
