First impression of the venue is good, it’s a big stage with clear sightlines from pretty much everywhere. The sound is excellent throughout too.
Support act is the excellent The Rails who are well received by the crowd.
I’ve written enough about the quality of Isbell’s shows which have been some of the best I’ve seen over the past five years or so and I will not go into this again.
The difference tonight is that Isbell’s wife Amanda Shires, six months on from giving birth, joins the band. The introduction of her fiddle and voice bring a new dynamic to the sound and also lend these qualities to changes to the setlist from January.
I wrote in January that it was the best version of ‘Decoration Day’ I had heard, well scratch that because tonight it hits home even harder. It’s soon followed by one of my favourites ‘Travelling Alone’ and the harmonies that Shires provides tonight compliments Isbell’s vocal perfectly. The set flip flops between acoustic and electric with the ever excellent Sadler Vaden, (Ed’s note, new album please), providing the licks often duelling with Isbell on an ‘axe off’.
The show rattles through at speed and before you know it we’re at the encore of Flagship and closing with a rocking version of Super 8.
Another great show from Isbell tonight that pips January’s gig with the added light and shade of Shires’ fiddle and vocals.
Keep on rockin y’all