Concert Review: Belle and Chain Shine in Acoustic Set at Crowbar in Tampa, Florida

The historic cobblestoned streets of Ybor City are alive and well as I make my way down to Crowbar, Ybor's popular music venue.

Spencer Grammer and Davis IL, better known as Belle and Chain, will take to the stage tonight as they are on the road with Barns Courtney on his ‘Unplugged Solo Acoustic Sessions’ tour.

This LA-based duo emerged after lead singer Spencer suffered an incident that left her with nerve damage in her right hand. As part of her recovery, she was encouraged to take up the guitar to promote neuroplasticity and rebuild her strength. In the process, Spencer discovered that songwriting and music offered a powerful way to process her trauma, build confidence, and uncover a new path in life after spending many years acting in film and television. Music and performance, however, were always a big part of her life from a young age. Her mother performed on Broadway, and her father is a critically acclaimed actor.

Davis IL, an accomplished musician from the San Francisco Bay Area, began performing music in high school. Influenced by his father, who was a part of the Fillmore music scene. Predominantly playing guitar and keys, he has collaborated with other artists in terms of writing, producing, and performing. Davis first met Spencer at his Hellbender Halloween party. Impressed with her songwriting, he became a co-writer and collaborator, which materialized into Belle and Chain in 2025.

Together they have been working hard to release new music. Their debut single "Don't You Worry Babe" hit the music scene April 9, 2026, and they are working toward their first EP, set to release this summer. They performed at Echo Park Rising and Freakout Festival in 2025. Their sound is a captivating blend of Western rock and alt-country, and I am excited to see what they have in store for tonight's performance.

Under the lights stand two mic stands and two acoustic guitars at center stage. As fans inch closer with every minute that passes, Spencer and Davis walk out onto the stage ready to perform. Davis, dressed in a brown ensemble, a white shirt, and brown boots, takes to his six-string Guild guitar and begins to play. With double braids, a black shirt, white pants, and black boots, Spencer grabs her bright red, sparkling microphone and kicks things off with their song "Laila." Her voice echoes throughout the room as she peers into the crowd. They waste no time treating the audience to their newest single, "Don't You Worry Babe," grabbing the attention of the room with every note they sing. Belle & Chain are engaging and joke with the crowd as they move through their acoustic set with songs that include "No Friends," "Lollipop," and "Consequence," showcasing both of their vocals. Their sound is an inviting blend of western alt-country tones and life-driven lyrics. Spencer takes to a sweet, snake-designed Taylor guitar during the night. They surprise the crowd with a standout cover of "Cobra" by the band Geese. As Belle and Chain let the last notes of their final song ring out, they are met with cheers as they take one final glance into the crowd.

Belle and Chain’s performance is an engaging and dynamic acoustic set. They commanded the stage with their vocals and lyrics, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for them, as well as to explore their music further and hear the instrumental versions of the songs they performed.