WEEK OF 10/18/2019

Big Thief / all 📷 : Mark Morrissey

It’s not often you get the chance to catch a band on tour in support of two new albums. Those of us lucky enough to get into the sold-out show on Friday at the Metro were treated to this rarity by Big Thief. U.F.O.F., the group’s first release up for album of the year, gave way for Two Hands. In awe-inspiring efforts it is impossible to pick one album over the other; the two complement one another so well it’s as if they’ve created one long album.

We cannot forget the opener, Palehound, also touring to support their newest album, Black Friday. Palehound set the mood for everyone that showed up early and those who continued to fill the venue. Performing for nearly a packed house towards the end of their set, Palehound to grow with each opportunity, taking major steps since the last time I caught them back in February. Ellen Kempner has a very honest approach to songwriting. It is hard to imagine the feelings she has while sharing these stories in person with a room full of strangers. It is understandable why her voice is soft and melancholy during the performance and allows for the instrumentals do more of the talking. At times during heavy guitar riffs, Kempner pours out her innermost  heartfelt emotions. The riffs emit the emotions and turmoil she faces inside. 

With Adrianne Lenker at the helm, Big Thief locks in right from the minute they take the stage. The level of sincerity and authenticity the group puts forth is beautifully captivating, leaving the crowd elated. Without a single void to fill in The Metro, Big Thief took to the stage for a highly anticipated show. Primarily drawing from their two newest albums, the group returned to some later work, along with solos from Adrianne Lenker and Buck Meek’s side projects. Without wasting any time, the group started with “Rock and Sing” from Two Hands.  As if two new albums to play from were not enough, Big Thief treated the crowd to “Sparrow,” a newer song not featured on U.F.O.F or Two Hands. Taking a break from the new songs, Thief jumped back to play the title track from Masterpiece, which would not be the last time they would play a song from this album, as they played “Paul” for the encore. After a couple more songs from Two Hands, Big Thief played “Mary,” marking the first time a song from Capacity made an appearance. Next, the group went to “Terminal Paradise” which was originally on Lenker’s, Abysskiss, and Thief adopted for U.F.O.F. Two of the most compelling songs of the night came back to back. Lenker stayed on stage for a solo rendition of “Spud Infinity.” Lenker then welcomed Buck Meek back to the stage for “Halo Light,” which he solo-released earlier this year. Both songs just stopped us in our tracks and locked us in for their entirety. To close out the set, Thief went back in to U.F.O.F. with tracks like “Contact” and “Cattails,” which feed off each other so nicely.  Walking out, there was a buzz in the air of how moved people were by Big Thief’s performance. There was an abundance of other shows happening around the city, but none other could have left you as mesmerized as Big Thief.

 -Mark Morrissey