The Red Clay Strays Find Hope in Hard Times with “People Hatin’”
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The song, first announced during the band’s appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, opens with frontman Brandon Coleman recalling his mother’s advice to “keep my politics to me.” From there, the lyrics unfold like a weary reflection from a man trying to make sense of the chaos around him. “I’m sick of people turning on their neighbor,” he sings, his voice cracking with conviction, before landing the refrain that anchors the track: “The only way for us to ever end this is loving unconditionally.”
Musically, “People Hatin’” sits squarely in The Red Clay Strays’ sweet spot — a blend of Southern rock, gospel soul, and heartland grit that feels timeless and fresh all at once. The production, helmed by Grammy-winner Dave Cobb, gives the song the warmth and weight of a live performance. Coleman’s vocal — a raw, impassioned mix of anguish and hope — is backed by the group’s tight, almost spiritual chemistry.
The accompanying music video, directed by Matthew Coleman, is simple yet powerful. It features the band performing against a stark backdrop, allowing the focus to stay on their presence, their playing, and the message of the song itself. Fans are already rallying behind it, with one YouTube commenter summing up the sentiment: “What a band. Unafraid to show faith. Unafraid to cross genres. Unafraid to say what needs to be said.” Another chimed in with a playful but sincere suggestion — “I vote Red Clay Strays for Super Bowl Halftime!!”
It’s not hard to see why. The Strays — Coleman, Drew Nix, Zach Rishel, Andrew Bishop, John Hall, and Sevans Henderson — have built their reputation on unfiltered live shows and songs that bridge gospel honesty with rock swagger. Since forming in Mobile, Alabama, in 2016, the band has become one of the fastest-rising acts in Americana and Southern rock, earning major awards, sold-out tours, and critical praise for their 2024 album Made by These Moments.
With “People Hatin’,” they double down on what’s made them resonate with so many: an earnestness that feels increasingly rare. The song doesn’t preach — it pleads. It’s a prayer for empathy wrapped in the sound of a barroom singalong.
As the Strays continue their sold-out Get Right Tour, including multiple nights at Red Rocks and London’s Roundhouse, “People Hatin’” feels like the kind of anthem that could easily close their shows — a reminder that, even in the noise, there’s still room for harmony.
The Red Clay Strays Tour Dates
2025 Dates
October 4 - Fox Theatre - Detroit, MI
October 5 – Fox Theatre – Detroit, MI
October 9 – Atrium Health Amphitheater – Macon, GA
October 10 – Riverfront Music Festival – North Charleston, SC
October 12 – Redwest 2025 – Salt Lake City, UT
October 15 – Orion Amphitheater – Huntsville, AL
October 20 – Fållan – Johanneshov, Sweden
October 22 – Sentrum Scene – Oslo, Norway
October 23 – Vega – København, Denmark
October 24 – Fabrik – Hamburg, Germany
October 26 – Carlswerk Victoria – Köln, Germany
October 27 – X-TRA – Zurich, Switzerland
October 29 – Paradiso – Amsterdam, Netherlands
October 31 – Élysée Montmarte – Paris, France
November 2 – De Roma – Antwerp, Belgium
November 4 – O2 Academy Glasgow – Glasgow, United Kingdom
November 6 – O2 Academy Birmingham – Birmingham, United Kingdom
November 8 – Hackney Church – London, United Kingdom
November 9 – The Roundhouse – London, United Kingdom
November 11 – National Stadium – Dublin, Ireland
November 13 – Ulster Hall – Belfast, United Kingdom
November 23 – St. Pete Country Fest – United Central, FL
December 4 – The Theater at Virgin Hotels – Las Vegas, NV
December 5 – The Theater at Virgin Hotels – Las Vegas, NV
2026 Dates
April 19 – Two Step Inn – Georgetown, TX
April 24 – Stagecoach – Indio, CA
June 13 – Buckeye Country Superfest – Columbus, OH
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