“We love you too!”  John Hogg said to the crowd after “Color Blind” reached its haunting end.

The band paused briefly in the Vinyl Music Hall applause before launching into Led Zeppelin’s “Custard Pie”.

Marking their first appearance at Vinyl Music Hall, most of The Magpie Salute are no strangers to Pensacola. The Black Crowes rocked the stages of Springfest, Bayfront Auditorium and the Saenger Theatre.

Formed by guitarist Rich Robinson, Magpie Salute builds on music and friendships formed over time with guitarist Marc Ford (The Black Crowes, Burning Tree, Ben Harper), bassist Sven Pipien (The Black Crowes), keyboardist Matt Slocum, drummer Joe Magistro and Hogg.

In a night full of highlights, Magpie Salute served rocking originals along with a Crosby, Stills & Nash cover (“You Don’t Have to Cry”) before a welcomed trip down Black Crowes lane with “Wiser Time” and “Twice as Hard”.

-Michael Hulin-Smith