Blackberry Smoke in the heart of the 'Decatur Triangle'

Decatur, Illinois, has a great amphitheater and is within driving distance of a lot of concert venues

Blackberry Smoke preparing to take a well-deserved bow following Sunday, July 7’s show at the Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater in Decatur.

Not many people are trying to live in Decatur, Illinois. It’s been hit hard by corporatization and deindustrialization. Every hard-earned improvement seems like a drop in the bucket.

No matter what way you come into town, the first impression is bad — run-down buildings, way too many payday loan businesses and, of course, the Staley Viaduct (or as my kids have always called it, Stinky Bridge), which starts out over a massive junkyard and then goes over the ADM and Primient soy processing factories where the famous “Decatur smell” emanates from.

I’ve lived in Decatur since October 2007 and am painfully aware of all its shortcomings.

But I’ve always come to appreciate some of the truly beneficial things about living here.

I have a home I wouldn’t be able to afford in most cities — it’s one of the best markets in the country for homebuyers — and the cost of living is low overall. Also, I have roots — my wife, Liz, is from here, my kids grew up here, and we have friends here. And, there’s some pretty cool local history.

Plus, it’s easy to live here — no traffic and, other than some downtown areas, easy parking. And while we lack in some restaurants and shopping options, we have decent venues for live music — in particular the Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater on Lake Decatur, where I saw Blackberry Smoke on Sunday.

This was my fifth time seeing Blackberry Smoke because they appear often in what I call the “Decatur Triangle” (trademark pending). There are multiple venues within a 45-minute drive to Springfield, Bloomington and Champaign, and more than I can even count within a two-and-a-half hour drive to St. Louis, Indianapolis and Chicago.

The Decatur triangles.

I know, technically that’s two triangles … maybe being the heart of two triangles explains some things about Decatur … .

The Decatur Triangle has access to all the concerts you want. Most acts that tour will hit Chicago, St. Louis or Indianapolis, and often all three (allowing for multiple options on dates). And, there are plenty that find their way into Central Illinois as well — especially if you’re into more independent-label and under-the-radar acts.

There are so many shows to go to in the Decatur Triangle that, as the number of bands I follow increases, I’ve had to learn to tell myself “no” (and every time I announce it to my wife, Liz, “Just to let you know … there was a really great show in Indy tonight, but for the record I don’t go to all of them … ”).

This is an old picture of the Devon from its first year in 2019, but it gives the best feel for the amphitheater of any of the photos I have in my library.

It is nice, though, when there’s a good band at the Devon, because it’s the best outdoor music facility in Central Illinois. I’ve been to several shows and other functions there — probably around 10 events total since it opened in 2019. I’ve also talked to dozens of people, mostly not from Decatur, who have visited the Devon and been impressed. Honestly, I haven’t talked to a single person with a negative view of it. For something in Decatur, that’s rare.

In fact, I can’t think of anything that regularly brings people to Decatur and shows it in a good light more than the Devon.

There’s a lot to like about it. It’s right on the lake, has curb appeal, lots of parking and can hold events of multiple sizes — up to between 3,000 and 4,000 (the Stones or Beyoncé couldn’t play there, but no one is expecting that in Decatur).

The staff booking the shows at the Devon, which is run by the Decatur Park District, does a great job of mixing up acts to try to make everyone happy — country, R&B, rock, hip hop, pop, kids, Christian, a variety of tributes … . The variety means a lot of times it’s not for me, but in the last two years there I’ve seen, among others, Little Feat and Blackberry Smoke — those are two of the best rock bands touring, hands down.

From left, Richard Turner, Kent Aberle and Brandon Still of Blackberry Smoke.

Five times in (plus a Charlie Starr acoustic show), I don’t have a lot to say about Blackberry Smoke I haven’t already said, which is why I’m choosing to focus this more on Decatur and the Devon. I will say, Blackberry Smoke is consistently excellent. The sound they get on their albums is one of the reasons I love the band so much, and they recreate it live. Every guitar they use has tone for days.

Blackberry Smoke’s Charlie Starr visiting my side of the stage to throw down some perfect guitar tone from one of his MANY guitars.

Once the breeze off the lake finally kicked in late in the show to give a break from the heat, it was an ideal night. Blackberry Smoke’s music was meant to be listened to outside on a night just like that. “Run Away From It All” was sublime with the wind blowing in my face.

This was my first time on the rail at the Devon and it’s a great rail — plenty of room to put your drink and phone, and surface area to lean against. I’ve never had a bad view from any spot in the Devon, but from now on I’ll be on the rail if it’s a band I really want to see.

Me getting into a Blackberry Smoke jam. Thanks to Jeff Boyer for the photo.

The Devon has tons of great drink and food options — as good as any venue I’ve been to — though there is some weird rule about not being able to bring your drink in the food truck area, so be forewarned.

If I have a complaint about the Devon, it’s that there’s no place to gather before and after shows. The Beach House seems like a great place for that — there’s a lot of space in the outside area — but it’s closed on Sundays by 3 p.m. and also doesn’t market itself as that when it is open. People could sit out there before and after shows and have drinks — kind of like an outside version of the Halo Bar in St. Louis that’s part of the Pageant.

Instead, people were gathered in the parking lot — before and after the show.

Other than the duck poop, it’s a fun and scenic walk to the Devon from the Beach House, which would be a great pre-show hangout.

But that’s something that can be addressed. It’s a great amphitheater, and when you add in the Lincoln Theater and the Decatur Civic Center, that’s three venues in Decatur bringing in shows — a nice break from traveling for those live music fans living in Decatur.

But … is going to Springfield, Bloomington or Champaign really traveling? If you live in a big city, driving 30 to 45 minutes (including finding a parking spot) is a normal trip. Driving on U.S. 51 going to the Castle Theater in Bloomington and parking right next to the venue feels a lot less stressful than dealing with traffic and driving around the block five times for a spot.

And if you’re a night-driving horse like me, coming home from a St. Louis, Indianapolis or Chicago show that ends at 11 p.m., getting home around 1:30 or 2 a.m., isn’t a big deal. I’ve noticed if I get a hotel, I’m usually up that late anyway on an adrenaline buzz from the concert.

It may not work for everyone, but it’s definitely working for me!

Seeing this song performed live never gets old.

Other notes from the show:

• Blackberry Smoke comes onstage to “Rock n’ Roll Doctor,” which is one of my favorite Little Feat songs. My pure joy in hearing those opening notes is only stronger now that I associate it with the anticipation of seeing Blackberry Smoke take the stage.

• Starr, Blackberry Smoke’s lead singer, was a little less talkative than on some other nights I’ve seen the band, but the energy was there — and he did briefly stop singing a song to warn a fan further down the rail that a bee had landed on him. There was some applause near the stage and some acknowledgement from Charlie when the bee was confirmed … dealt with.

• I have no idea how Blackberry Smoke chooses its set list night-to-night, but I liked the songs they chose for this show a lot. I like to think they drove into Decatur and said, “OK, we’re definitely doing ‘Working For A Working Man,’ ‘Let It Burn,’ and ‘One Horse Town.’”

  

  Me with fellow live music lover, insurance agent and all-around good guy Jeff.

• I met lots of great people, including Lisa from Bloomington who is a huge fan of the band, and also Rhonda, who in addition to her own bought a VIP package for her husband, who couldn’t be at the show because of issues with PTSD. And, I hung out with my insurance agent, Jeff, who has great taste in music, and his wife Jenny.

• Toward the end of the show, I saw a woman throw a beaded bracelet on the stage. A few songs later, I saw bass player Richard Turner pick it up and lay it on an amp. I know it was well-meaning, but don’t throw stuff onstage. Ever. It doesn’t accomplish anything good and it’s potentially dangerous.

• Even on the rail, I still didn’t escape people talking. I was standing by a speaker, but two women behind me decided to try to talk over the speaker for a song.

  

  Stackin’ Eights opened for Blackberry Smoke at Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater.

• Stackin’ Eights of Evansville, Indiana, was the opener. Their songs didn’t connect with me but I did like that they had a fiddle player. And their drummer, Jack Gavin, was a former member of the Charlie Daniels Band.