Live music review: Bonnie Raitt at CMAC – Still in the Pocket and Giving a Damn
Generally, something is lacking in spirit when attending a legacy show. Artists who’ve been in the game forever can feel mechanical, each town’s performance no more meaningful than a plumber moving on to the next toilet. You buy the ticket, you get the hits, and you leave knowing they’ve already got one eye on the next airport. Luckily for the folks in Rochester, legendary guitarist Bonnie Raitt didn’t play that game. At CMAC, in front of nearly fifteen thousand people, she gave a performance that felt alive, urgent, and joyful — the real thing.
At seventy-five, Raitt comes across as grateful for every bit of her long run. She name-checked friends and lost comrades with sincerity, not ego. It wasn’t the “remember I’m a legend” flex you get from someone like Hank Jr., who can’t stop reminding you of his bloodline. Instead, Raitt honored the people who helped shape her career and the music she loves making.
The crowd reflected that legacy. Down in the seats: white hair, couples who’ve probably seen her a dozen times. Up on the lawn: the burnouts, the kids raised on their parents’ records, the ones who wanted a cheap ticket and a good night. When Raitt’s set list hit “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” the place went quiet, fifteen thousand voices hushed into a collective singalong, couples leaning into each other as she affectionately dubbed the crowd “date night.” It was one of those rare arena show moments where time seemed to stop.
With Austin guitar legend Jimmie Vaughan in tow, the show was precisely what you wanted: a celebration of Raitt’s career, a few new songs, and a handful of covers. Her absolutely riveting take on John Prine’s “Angel from Montgomery” was the emotional peak. Prine’s gone, but his wit and warmth linger in the American songbook, and Raitt’s version honored him with grit and grace. It brought the house down, no question.
Her own catalog stacked the set with timeless cuts. “Something to Talk About” got a roar that made it feel like 1991 again. “Love Sneakin’ Up on You” brought the groove back, bodies swaying on the lawn. “Nick of Time” reminded everyone she’s always been more than a guitarist, she’s a storyteller whose work keeps resonating across generations. The hits didn’t feel like obligations; they felt like gifts.
She had full command of her band, clearly in love with the players she’s chosen to take on the road. Raitt never let them go soft, pushing each other musically, trading grins during solos, keeping the set loose but sharp. Her presence onstage was a mix of fiery, tender, and conversational — like you’d stumbled into a living room session with one of America’s greatest artists.
That’s the thing with legacy shows: sometimes you’re not really there to see them “do damage,” you’re there to pay tribute, to say thank you for the art that’s been part of your life. Bonnie Raitt didn’t coast on that. She stayed present, entirely in the pocket, still chasing the thrill of the music.
In a summer where too many veteran acts are collecting checks to keep the lights on in their summer homes, Raitt proved she’s still here for the fire. At seventy-five, she isn’t coasting on legend.
Bonnie Raitt and Jimmie Vaughan continue the tour through September 25 at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado.
Featured image courtesy of Live Nation. All others courtesy of CMAC and Jimmie Vaughan
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