On a night when guitar royalty Steve Vai and Joe Satriani were bending minds across the river at Albany’s Palace Theatre, the most riveting six-string performance in the Capital Region may very well have belonged to Samantha Fish. Inside the gilded walls of Troy Savings Bank Music Hall on May 21, Fish delivered a scorching, emotionally charged performance that was equal parts blues revival, rock-and-roll sermon, and triumphant statement of artistic power.
Backed by her ferocious touring band in support of her Paper Doll album, Fish transformed the historic hall into a cathedral of blues rock for 90 unforgettable minutes. It was a performance filled with blistering guitar work, aching soul vocals, swaggering confidence, and moments of raw vulnerability that showcased why she has become one of the most respected modern blues artists on the planet.
Nestled in the heart of downtown Troy, the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall remains one of the region’s true architectural and acoustic treasures. Opened in 1875, the Victorian-era venue has long been revered for its near-perfect natural acoustics, ornate detailing, and intimate atmosphere that allows audiences to feel every note with remarkable clarity. Generations of legendary performers have graced its stage, and its unique combination of elegance and sonic brilliance continues to make it one of the premier listening rooms in the Northeast. For Capital Region music fans, it remains a cultural crown jewel. Elegant, timeless, and uniquely capable of elevating performances into experiences. On this particular evening, its warm wood interiors and cathedral-like resonance provided the perfect backdrop for Fish’s blend of fiery blues and sophisticated soul.
Opening the evening was rising blues phenom Solomon Hicks, whose concise but potent set quickly won over the crowd. Backed by bassist Eric Lewis, Hicks blended blues standards with sharp original material, showcasing impressive maturity as both a guitarist and vocalist. Songs like “Flying High (Yesterday),” “Further on Up The Road,” “Headed Back to Memphis,” and “It Feels Like Rain” carried a classic blues sensibility while still feeling youthful and vibrant. His smooth fretwork and soulful delivery provided the perfect warm-up for the fireworks to come, though as the audience would later discover, this would not be the last time Hicks took the stage this night.
By the time Samantha Fish and her band emerged beneath the theater lights, the room buzzed with anticipation. For Fish, the evening was another reminder of how remarkable her artistic evolution has been. Emerging onto the blues scene in 2009 as a young guitar phenom from Kansas City, she initially earned attention for her searing chops and commanding stage energy. Over the years, however, Fish has expanded far beyond the “blues guitarist” label. Her music now seamlessly blends rock, southern soul, and hints of funk into a sound that feels refreshingly modern. That versatility was on full display throughout the evening as she shifted effortlessly between smoky ballads, hard-driving blues, and emotionally rich soul numbers.
As a guitarist, Fish possesses a rare balance of technical precision and emotional instinct. She can unleash rapid-fire solos with the intensity of a classic rock shredder, then immediately pull back into delicate phrasing that feels heartbreakingly personal. In a genre historically dominated by men, Fish’s success carries enormous significance. She is not simply “good for a female guitarist,” she is one of the finest guitarists working today, period. For young women and aspiring female rock musicians especially, seeing Fish command a stage with such authority, confidence, and unapologetic power is genuinely inspiring. She stands as proof that virtuosity and femininity are not mutually exclusive, and she embraces both with fearless authenticity.
From the opening blast of “Can Ya Handle the Heat?” it was immediately clear the answer from the crowd was “yes.” Fish stormed the stage with commanding presence, stalking from side to side with a true “rock star” attitude that you just can’t teach. Her Paper Doll material served as the emotional backbone of the evening. The album explores themes of independence, resilience, heartbreak, temptation, and self-liberation all filtered through Fish’s gritty blues sensibilities and soulful storytelling. Songs like “I’m Done Runnin’” and “Lose You” carried intense depth beneath their muscular arrangements, while the title track “Paper Doll” examines the pressures and perceptions often placed upon women with defiant strength and vulnerability. Fish sang these songs as lived experiences, making every lyric feel personal.
Balancing a seductive swagger with fierce musicianship, Fish drew cheers with every smoldering glance and jaw-dropping solo. There was undeniable sex appeal in her performance, but it never overshadowed the substance of her artistry. Instead, it became part of the complete package. A magnetic performer who understands exactly how to captivate an audience while backing it all up with astonishing skill.
Her band proved equally essential to the night’s success. Drummer Jamie Douglas delivered a thunderous performance, powering the music forward with relentless energy. Bassist Ron Johnson, whose résumé includes work with Gregg Allman and Warren Haynes, anchored the band with dynamic low-end precision, giving Fish room to soar. Keyboardist Mickey Finn brought southern soul textures and tasteful flourishes that beautifully complemented the band’s heavier blues rock attack, particularly during the evening’s more emotional ballads.
Behind the scenes, guitar tech Danny Bland quietly became one of the evening’s unsung heroes. With a seemingly endless arsenal of guitars lining the stage, Fish frequently switched instruments between songs, and Bland handled each transition flawlessly while enthusiastically cheering the band onward from the wings.
Highlights arrived one after another. “Hello Stranger,” a soulful cover of Barbara Lewis, showcased Fish’s ability to channel tenderness and longing with stunning vocal control. “Fortune Teller” simmered with swagger and menace, while “Bulletproof” exploded with raw blues-rock intensity. “Dream Girl” offered one of the night’s most emotionally resonant moments, revealing the vulnerability beneath Fish’s fierce exterior.
Then came the finale. As the unmistakable riff of “Black Wind Howlin’” roared through the Music Hall, Solomon Hicks returned to the stage, guitar in hand, joining Fish for a thrilling encore that pushed the concert into overdrive. The chemistry between the two players was electric, their guitars weaving together in a furious exchange of blues licks and high-octane improvisation that sent the audience into a frenzy. It was the perfect ending to a night overflowing with musicianship, passion, and pure rock-and-roll spirit. A reminder that blues music remains alive, evolving, and thrilling in the hands of artists willing to push it forward while honoring its roots.
At a time when guitar hero culture often leans toward technical excess, Samantha Fish reminds audiences that true greatness lies not merely in speed or precision, but in emotional connection. On this night in Troy, she delivered both in abundance. In an era where authenticity can sometimes feel manufactured, Fish remains the genuine article. Passionate, fearless, elegant and explosive. And on a night filled with legendary guitar players across the Capital Region, it was Samantha Fish who truly stole the spotlight.
Samantha Fish | May 21, 2026 | Troy Savings Bank Music Hall | Troy, NY
Setlist: Can Ya Handle the Heat?, Paper Doll, I’m Done Runnin’, Hello Stranger[1], Sweet Southern Sounds, Lose You, No Apology, Bulletproof, Fortune Teller, Gone For Good, Dream Girl, Black Wind Howlin’ [2]
[1] Barbara Lewis cover
[2] with Solomon Hicks on guitar
Solomon Hicks | May 21, 2026 | Troy Savings Bank Music Hall | Troy, NY
Setlist: Flying High (Yesterday), Everyday I have the Blues, Further on Up The Road, Help Me, Headed Back to Memphis, What the Devil Loves, It Feels Like Rain, Driftin’ and Driftin’.
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