Concert Review: LITTLE FEAT AT CHEVALIER THEATER IN MEDFORD, MA

Joanna Gleason
20 hours ago
3 min read

On May 6, 2025, Chevalier Theater in Medford, MA, welcomed Little Feat. The show started at 8:15 p.m. with Cris Jacobs as the opener. An American singer-songwriter from Baltimore, Maryland, Jacobs was called “The King of Baltimore Rock’n Roll” by Baltimore magazine. In the early 2000s, Jacobs played alongside Patrick Mc Avinue in a bluegrass band, Smooth Kentucky, in the Baltimore area. At the same time, he was the guitarist and vocalist for the Bridge.

Following the end of the Bridge in 2011, Jacobs formed the Cris Jacobs Band. The lineup for the first few years was Todd Herrington (bass), Dusty Ray Simmons (drum), Jonathan Sloane (guitar). Sloane left in 2019 and was replaced by guitarist Corey Wells and keyboardist Ben White.

In 2012, Jacobs released his solo debut album with Cris Jacobs Band, Songs for Cats and Dogs, which led to tours supporting Steve Winwood and Sturgill Simpson in following years. His sophomore full-length, Dust to Gold, arrived in 2016. He and Ivan Neville recorded an album together as Newille Jacobs in 2017. In 2019, he released his third solo album, Color Where You Are, on Blue Rose Records.

At Chevalier Theater, Cris Jacobs played a series of songs from several albums:

· Songs for Cats and Dogs (self-released, 2012)

· Dust to Gold (American Showplace Music, 2016)

· Color Where You Are (Blue Rose Records, 2019)

· One of These Days (Soundly Music, 2024)

His latest album, One of These Days, was released on April 26, 2024. He performed at the Grand Ole Opry alongside Lindsay Lou and continued playing major festivals such as High Sierra, Telluride, and 4848.

At 9:30 p.m. Little Feat hit the stage. An American rock band from Los Angeles, California, the group formed in 1969 was composed of lead vocalist and guitarist Lowell George, bassist Roy Estrada, keyboardist Bill Payne, and drummer Richie Hayward. The band’s classic line-up, in place by late 1972, comprised lead vocalist and guitarist Lowell George, keyboardist Bill Payne, drummer Richie Hayward, bassist Kenny Gradney, guitarist and vocalist Paul Barrere, and percussionist San Clayton. George disbanded the group before his death in 1979. Surviving members re-formed Little Feat in 1987.

At Chevalier Theater, the group performed with a group of talented musicians such as Bill Payne (keyboard), Kenny Gradney (bass), Sam Clayton (drums, conga and djembe), Fred Tackett (guitar, mandolin, and trumpet), Scott Sharrard (vocals, guitar) and Tony Leone (drum).

This May 6, 2025, performance features the band in front of their most loyal audiences. The New England area has been a Little Feat supporter since their formation. Broadcast on local rock stations in Boston WBCN-FM, Little Feat songs from all of the first five albums are very popular in Massachusetts.

In Medford, fans praised the music quality of Little Feat’s live performance. The group was fantastic. The line-up was phenomenal. Being present as a photographer and a fan of live music, I understand why Jimmy Page cited Little Feat as his favorite group in Rolling Stone.