SHERYL YOUNGBLOOD PLAYED ‘16 TONELADAS’! EXCLUSIVE PHOTOGRAPHIC REPORT

Gospel Grammy Award winner Sheryl Youngblood landed in Valencia for the first time on 25 February — and what a debut it was. Bringing the very best of Chicago blues to a sold-out ‘16 Toneladas’ in Valencia, Youngblood delivered a masterclass in authenticity, power, and stage command to a captivated crowd. A celebrated figure from the Chicago blues scene, Youngblood has performed at legendary venues in the world capital of blues and at the iconic Chicago Blues Festival, as well as major festivals and concert halls across the United States and Europe. With more than 40 years in the music industry, she stands as a leading force in American roots music. Vocalist, bandleader, musical director, drummer and recording artist for Delmark Records, she embodies the true Chicago blues spirit.

Her musical journey spans gospel roots, Motown influences, jazz phrasing, funk and R&B rhythms, a touch of rock attitude, and the pure storytelling tradition of the blues. She won a Gospel Grammy Award with The Thompson Community Singers of Chicago, and has also received the Jus’ Blues Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. A proud member of the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame, Youngblood carries decades of experience into every performance.

And Valencia witnessed that experience in full force.

From the moment she stepped onto the stage at 16 Toneladas, Youngblood made it clear this would not be an ordinary night. In a striking display of musicianship, she took her place behind the drum kit for the first four songs — and later returned to it for the encores — proving she is as formidable a rhythm driver as she is a vocalist.

Opening with “I Just Wanna Make Love to You” by Muddy Waters, the band immediately locked into a deep, rolling groove. “Last Two Dollars” and “Down Home Blues” followed with smoky intensity, before “Someone Else Is… Out” cemented the connection with an already packed and buzzing venue.

The stellar band lineup was impressive and the chemistry evident — local lad and powerhouse David Sam on piano, the unflashy virtuoso José Luis Pardo on guitar, and the artistry of Tota on harmonica — provided a rich and dynamic backdrop throughout the evening. Pardo’s guitar lines cut clean and expressive, Sam’s piano added warmth and swing, and Tota’s harmonica wailed with raw Chicago soul.

Stepping away from the drums to take centre stage, Youngblood allowed her commanding voice to soar on “Tennessee Whisky” and a stirring “Midnight Hour.” “Juke Joint Woman” and “I Feel So Bad” kept the dancefloor alive, the audience fully immersed in the groove.

A standout moment came with a deeply emotional rendition of “The Thrill Is Gone” by B.B. King. Youngblood approached the classic with reverence while infusing it with her own grit and phrasing, holding the room in near silence before a wave of applause broke the spell. Another spellbinding moment was when Youngblood took her drumsticks and proceeded to beat out endless and entertaining ‘riddims’ on the microphone stand…and wholly audible for the fascinated public too. Indeed, Sheryl showed throughout this concert that she is the music…along with a great band!

The celebratory spirit returned with “Everyday of Your Life,” followed by a communal singalong to “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King and a soulful take on “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding, turning 16 Toneladas into something resembling a South Side Chicago juke joint.

For the encore, Youngblood returned to the drums and unleashed her own fiery anthem “Red Hot Woman in Blues,” bringing the house down. The night closed with the raucous “Wang Dang Doodle,” sending the Valencia crowd into a final frenzy of dancing and cheers.

Lively, energetic and utterly commanding, Sheryl Youngblood proved why she remains such a respected and enduring figure in American music. Her Valencia debut was not simply a concert — it was an unforgettable celebration of Chicago blues, delivered with heart, history and unstoppable soul. Here is a woman who has lived and loved ‘life’ (the highs and the lows) and knows how to transmit it in every song. A true artist. She will be back.

Report by Will McCarthy