Jenny Lewis brings joy, ‘Essence of Life,’ fiery triumph during Grand Rapids tour stop

The singer-songwriter’s Monday concert at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park delivered a hefty dose of songs from her new studio album. The review, photos and set list.

 

SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTO GALLERY, SET LIST

Five songs into her Monday concert at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, West Coast singer-songwriter Jenny Lewis delivered the apropos line, “Follow your joy’all” from the title track of her new studio album.

It was part a dazzling set during her Grand Rapids tour stopover, with Lewis and her four-piece band performing seven of the 10 songs on that just-released album, “Joy’All.”

Against the backdrop of a picturesque summer night, Lewis — co-founder of indie-rock’s Rilo Kiley — kicked things off with “Just One of the Guys,” a powerful anthem with colorful imagery, followed by “Do Si Do,” a breezy number with twinkling piano melodies and a backbone of inventive drums.

Lewis’ latest radio hit, “Psychos,” came as a surprise midway through the set, prompting a flurry of dancing near the stage. The song displayed Lewis’ knack for provocative and imaginative lyricism.

Throughout the evening, Lewis gracefully moved around stage, alternating between a circular raised platform, the piano and display of groovy dance moves.

Other highlights included “Red Bull and Hennesey” (another radio hit reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac), “Giddy Up,” and “Acid Tongue.”

As the night drew to a close, Lewis returned for an encore with just a guitar to perform “Essence of Life,” before inviting her band back for “See Fernando.”

That final number, a fiery triumph of rock ‘n’ roll, saw the crowd on its feet — basking in the sounds of slide guitar, crashing drums and Lewis’ epic refrain.

PHOTO GALLERY: Hayden Pedigo, Jenny O, Jenny Lewis at Meijer Gardens
Photos by Jamie Geysbeek

SET LIST: Jenny Lewis at Meijer Gardens
Setlist.fm

Copyright 2023, Spins on Music LLC