Posted by I had the chance to catch Samantha Fish live for the first time as she rolled into The Palladium Times Square in support of her album Faster. Sharing the tour spotlight with Devon Allman and Eric Gales, the night already promised fireworks. What I didn’t expect was just how far Fish has elevated her game as she came to town for her Paper Dolls tour.
From the moment she took the stage, it was clear she’s entered a new chapter artistically. Confident, commanding, and utterly locked in, she delivered a headlining set that felt both polished and fearless. Leaning heavily into material from Paper Doll, she had the crowd hanging on every note. Tracks like “Dream Girl,” “Lose You,” and “Bulletproof” showcased her gritty finesse, while her signature cigar box guitar work added that raw, rootsy edge fans have come to love.
The undeniable standout of the night, however, was her rendition of “I Put a Spell on You.” Some songs don’t fully reveal their power until experienced live — and this was one of them. Fish’s vocal delivery was intense yet crystal clear, swelling with emotion and control. Her dynamic range filled the room, transforming the performance into something almost spellbinding. It was a reminder that while recordings capture the craft, the stage reveals the soul.
Other highlights included the swaggering “Fortune Teller,” the anthemic “Paper Doll,” and a personal favorite, “Off in the Blue.” Kicking off promptly at 9:15 p.m. and stretching close to two hours, the set felt immersive without dragging. While I would have loved to hear classics like “Hello Stranger,” “Crowd Control,” or “Road Runner,” it’s hard to argue with the strength of her newer material. If anything, the song choices signaled an artist confidently moving forward rather than leaning on the past.
Opening the evening was the powerhouse Texas trio Texas Headhunters, featuring Ian Moore, Johnny Moeller, and Jesse Dayton. Hailing straight from Austin, they brought a heavy dose of Lone Star blues swagger to Times Square. Dayton, of course, is no stranger to Fish, having collaborated with her on their Death Wish Blues project. Performing live together for the very first time and supporting their self-titled debut (with a new release slated for August 22, 2025), Texas Headhunters delivered a gritty, no-frills set that embodied everything Texas blues stands for — groove, attitude, and blistering guitar work.
All in all, the night felt like a celebration of modern blues in its many forms. For me, though, it was Samantha Fish who left the deepest impression. Already impressive on record, she proves on stage that she’s operating at an entirely new level.
Here are a few highlights from both artists performances at The Patchogue Theatre on Long Island.
For more info on tour dates and merch, visit www.samanthafish.com & www.txhh.live and for more concert footage visit https://www.facebook.com/RobAmstrongPix
SETLIST: Samantha Fish
Kick Out The Jams, Paper Doll, Can Ya Handle The Heat, I’m Done Runnin’. I Put A Spell On You, Lose You, Sweet Southern Sounds, Off In The Blue, Bulletproof, Fortune Teller, Don’t Say It, Poor Mattie, Rusty Razor, Dreamgirl, Black Wind Howlin’
SETLIST: Texas Headhunters
Maggie Went Back to Mineola, Pocket, Everybody Loves You, Kathleen, Gun Barrel, Give Me Some Love, Seeing Around Corners, Fool Don’t Play With Fire
Long Island Sounds 