Jason Isbell and Patty Griffin at the Wolf Trap Performing Arts Center August 20
(all photos by Jade Clarke)
At the Wolf Trap on a Thursday night in August for the Jason Isbell show with Patty Griffin opening, it was the perfect temperature as the crowd made their way to their seats and the atmosphere was lighthearted with anticipation.
The band came out with a high energy push right out of the gate with the cathartic “Hope the High Road,” followed by “It Gets Easier” with the audience right there with them, before settling down to a slower more introspective pace with “Crimson and Clay” and “Maybe It’s Time.”
“Traveling Alone” held the audience rapt and singing along, and then so did the well-loved favorite “24 Frames.” Next for “Dress Blues” there was a little touch of somber feeling in the audience. Every now and then the songs touched on war and violence in addition to personal struggles and more human and domestic hardships.
Jason asked fellow guitarist Sadler Vaden to “help out” on the next song, while the rest of the band took a short breather, for “Ride to Roberts,” which Jason played acoustic guitar on. He stayed on acoustic for “Alabama Pines,” which had the audience singing along as the band eased back in around him. On this one there was more pointed collective consciousness, as everyone sang together on the song’s closing lines: “No one gives a damn about the things I give a damn about; Liberties that we can’t do without seem to disappear like ghosts in the air. When don’t even care, it truly vanishes away.”
This was followed by a vulnerable “Open and Close,” with Anna Butterss on stand-up bass carrying the mood and noticeable, sweet harmonies by Will Johnson.
“Elephant” was absolutely outstanding and incredible moving with Derry holding down the low end, and then Jason referenced his Drive-By Truckers days as they launched up a moving “Outfit.”
“Decoration Day” featured a smoking solo with Jason on what appeared to be the red-eye guitar, and Sadler traded off solos. At this point there is no doubt anywhere in the venue that this band can really rock!
Right after that we are brought down to Earth again with “Gravelweed,” and its relatable, sobering lines “I wish that I could be angry, punch a hole in the wall, drink a fifth of cheap whiskey and call and call and call….” And then was the surprise of a version of the early Fleetwood Mac song “Oh Well” from their Peter Green blues-driven era. Isbell and the 400 Unit rocked this one to the skies.
On “Vampires” there was smokey white vampirish lighting within the darkness courtesy of the light show, and the song took on a life of its own, until it seemed almost, in part at least, that the song was for the audience, for the experience we were all having together, and lamenting that this is what couldn’t last.
“Dreamsicle” is a crowd favorite and tear-jerker for all those who relate to any part of the story, and the “King of Oklahoma” brought the house down with more ultra hot guitar playing. Encores were the touching “Cover Me Up” just as the band was leaving stage, and then the night ended with the formal encore: “Danko / Manuel.”
A powerful night of music. And worth noting there was a chalkboard outside where fans wrote the songs that most told their personal story:
Check out tour dates here: http://www.jasonisbell.com
Americana queen Patty Griffin opened the show in a set that was moving and far too brief. David Pulkingham joined her on guitar and the songs were moving and lovely, and often twinged with sweet sadness. The performance felt spiritual as Patty referenced her mom who passed away. Patty played guitar on a couple of songs and piano and then mandolin toward the later part of her set. Setlist is below. https://www.pattygriffin.com
Enjoy some of our previous coverage here: Show Review: Jason Isbell solo at Hylton Center at George Mason University and here: Show Review: Patty Griffin at the Birchmere w/ Scott Miller
Jason Isbell setlist:
Hope the High Road
It Gets Easier
Crimson and Clay
Maybe It’s Time
Traveling Alone
24 Frames
Dress Blues
Ride to Robert’s (Acoustic)
Alabama Pines
Open and Close
Elephant
Outfit
Decoration Day
Gravelweed
Oh Well (Fleetwood Mac cover)
If We Were Vampires
Dreamsicle
King of Oklahoma
Cover Me Up
Encore:
Danko/Manuel
Patty Griffin setlist:
All the Way Home
Back at the Start
Long Time
Born in a Cage
Mother of God
Shine a Different Way
Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)