The acclaimed Americana artist touring behind his latest album, “Something More Than Free,” left the DeVos Performance Hall crowd mesmerized on Monday. (Review, photo gallery)
Compelling Set: Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit on stage Monday at DeVos Performance Hall. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTO GALLERY AND CONCERT SET LIST
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It’s rare when a room of 2,000-plus people falls absolutely silent, hanging on every word from a solitary man strumming an acoustic guitar, bearing his heart with his songwriting.
Award-Winning Songs: Isbell rolled out those and more on Monday. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
And it can be just as compelling to see exuberant fans jump and scream for every beat of a high-powered, uptempo rock song, played to perfection by a full band.
The crowd that witnessed Jason Isbell on Monday night at DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids got plenty of both in the same show.
Fans sang along as Isbell led his band, The 400 Unit, through many of the Americana-fueled singer-songwriter’s most familiar material, including songs from his newest release, “Something More Than Free.”
His set followed a powerful, crowd-pleasing start from opening act Josh Ritter, who warmed up fans in style, with the acoustic guitarist accompanied on stage by an electric guitarist, a drummer and upright bassist. Oozing country twang, the veteran singer-songwriter’s impressive tunes brought the audience to its feet, cheering, before the headliner even took the stage.
‘Sermon on the Rocks’: Josh Ritter opened the show. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
While Isbell had the audience laughing more than once with his banter, the Alabama native let his music do much of the talking.
And while many might consider his music as occupying the country end of the musical spectrum, Isbell and The 400 Unit displayed great versatility in their approach. So, a heartfelt acoustic ballad dedicated to his wife that left the crowd deeply moved was followed by a song that had Isbell plugging in his Telecaster to shred a bluesy guitar solo.
It was a savvy singer-songwriter treating the crowd to a powerful night of music, an experience encompassing much more than a single genre could offer.
And for that, the crowd stayed up and cheered long after the lights came on.
PHOTO GALLERY: Jason Isbell and Josh Ritter at DeVos Performance Hall
Photos by Anthony Norkus
SET LIST: Jason Isbell, Oct. 3 at DeVos Performance Hall
Courtesy of setlist.fm
1. Flying Over Water
2. Stockholm
3. 24 Frames
4. Something More Than Free
5. Go It Alone
6. Speed Trap Town
7. Decoration Day (Drive-By Truckers song)
8. The Life You Chose
9. Traveling Alone
10. How to Forget
11. Codeine
12. Alabama Pines
13. Cover Me Up
14. If It Takes a Lifetime
15. Never Gonna Change (Drive-By Truckers song)
16. Elephant
17. Super 8
18. Children of Children
Copyright 2016, Spins on Music LLC
