The Red Clay Strays in Zurich

Another day another concert, this time it was The Red Clay Strays in Zurich heating up X-Tra. For those who don’t know them yet, this Alabama-based band brings a unique mix of Southern rock, country, and a touch of rock’n’roll swagger.

First up was Early James, an artist from Alabama as well, whose soulful, gritty sound immediately caught my attention. His voice – raspy, powerful, and full of emotion – kind of reminded me of a young Chris Stapleton. A fantastic opener to set the tone for the evening.

Concert Photos: Early James

When the Red Clay Strays hit the stage, the audience’s excitement did go up a notch. It was a nice mix of people – at first, I thought it was mostly an older crowd, but as Early James played, more and more younger fans (mid-20s to early 30s) started to fill the room. And I have to say, I loved seeing so many folks rocking cowboy boots and hats – the vibes were immaculate.

The Red Clay Strays Bring Southern Rock Energy to Zurich

The atmosphere throughout the night was chill but super positive. Even though X-TRA wasn’t completely sold out, the room felt comfortably full and buzzing with energy. The band had this effortlessly cool vibe on stage – frontman Brandon in particular stood out. He’s got that perfect balance of an “I don’t give a damn” attitude mixed with pure charm, and it translates into an incredible stage presence. You could feel his energy radiate through every song.

All in all, it was a super nice show – entertaining, musically tight, and just plain fun. The Red Clay Strays definitely brought a little Southern heat to chilly Zurich.