Concert Review: Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel in Natick, MA

Aug 13

2 min read

A couple of weeks after photographing The Allman Betts Band at The Cabot in Beverly, Massachusetts, I was at the Center for Arts in Natick, Massachusetts, on August 8, 2026, to photograph Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel. Blending blues and rock influences rooted in Dickey Betts and The Allman Brothers Band legacy, the group delivered a terrific live performance. The band was touring in support of their new album, Isle of Hope, which was released on Sun Records on June 12, 2026.

The album is deeply personal and emotional. Duane created it following the death of his father, Dickey Betts, and it reflects his thoughts on life, loss, and moving forward.

The sold-out Saturday night show was exceptional. At 8:00 p.m., Duane Betts and his band took the stage. During the 90-minute set, they performed a catalog of songs that the audience loved, including selections from Isle of Hope as well as several Allman Brothers favorites.

Backed by a talented group of musicians, including Johnny Stachela (guitar), Pedro Arevalo (bass), Vince Fossett (drums), and Max Butler (B3 organ), Betts delivered a dynamic performance filled with soaring guitar solos, heartfelt storytelling, and a blend of classic influences and fresh energy.

The band was remarkable, with every member contributing far beyond expectations. One of the most impressive performers of the evening was Johnny Stachela, a longtime Betts collaborator. A blues-rock guitarist who grew up in Los Angeles and was influenced by Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, and the Three Kings (B.B. King, Albert King, and Freddie King), Stachela is best known for his acclaimed slide guitar work. He is a founding member of both The Allman Betts Band and Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel. At the Center for Arts in Natick, he helped create an exciting evening of psychedelic blues jams alongside Duane Betts, the band's frontman.

An American guitarist and singer-songwriter, Duane Betts leads Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel and is a co-founding member of The Allman Betts Band. He also performed as a guitarist and singer with Dickey Betts & Great Southern, the band led by his father, Dickey Betts.