Big Head Todd and the Monsters brought it to Empire Live in Albany on Thursday, February 13th, proving that after nearly four decades, their live performance remains a force to be reckoned with. The Colorado-based band, formed in 1986, showed no signs of slowing down, delivering a show that felt timeless in an era where the music scene can often feel fleeting.
Todd took the stage solo for the first couple of numbers, just him, a guitar and his harmonica. It allowed the crowd to settle in, meet and get comfortable among their fellow music-loving neighbors. It was a gentle, bluesy start to the night, the calm before the storm.
When the rest of the band advanced to the stage, the energy shifted instantly. Within Empire Live’s four walls, the atmosphere transformed into a blend of tight, groove-heavy blues rhythms, scorched earth guitar solos and the unmistakable, soulful grit in Todd’s voice that has shaped their sound over the years.
As they navigated through a set full of originals and cover songs, it was clear that Big Head Todd and the Monsters thrive on stage. Their chemistry was effortless and unforced. It moved seamlessly between mellow grooves and high-energy peaks. Each musician locked in, creating a perfect balance between spontaneity and precision.
A standout feature of the night was the band’s ability to guide the journey through shifting moods. They took the audience on a walkabout, from moments of deep reflection to brilliant bursts of energy that kept the crowd moving. Even after so many years, their stamina and passion for performing were undeniable. The show perfectly embodied the adage: age is just a number—a reminder that a band with this kind of longevity still has the power to surprise, connect and more importantly challenge their fans.
The close quarters of Empire Live enhanced the energy, allowing for a direct connection between the band and the crowd. There was something raw and unfiltered in the air—something that only happens when a band truly understands the art of live performance.
If you haven’t seen Big Head Todd and the Monsters before, this show proved they still have the goods. After all these years, they’ve kept their edge, still playing with the same fire and passion they had when they first started. A night like this reaffirmed their place in rock’s enduring legacy—because when you play with this much heart, like wine, it only gets better with time.
Setlist: Dry Spell Blues, Cashbox, Into the light, Tangerine, Strategem, Crazy Mary, Dinner with Ivan, Turn the light out, Sister sweetly, Please don’t tell her, Fortune teller, King Kong, It’s alright, Heart of wilderness, My new number one, Brandy, Resignation Superman, Bittersweet, Broken hearted savior,
Encore: Boom boom, Circle, Freebird
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