Big Thief Stole My Heart
By Sara O’Connell
When I bought tickets to see Big Thief for April 13th, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. The last time I went to a concert was to see Pearl Jam in 2018. It was summer at Fenway Park and the sky was painted with orange and pink clouds as the sunset into the night. I remember breathing in the fresh warm air out in the open and dancing to my heart's content in the cramped little Fenway seats. I didn’t know at that time that it wouldn’t be until four years later that I would go to a concert again. Things are definitely different now, with the new standard being vax card and ID checks, as well as mask handouts to attendees outside of the venue. These differences are still jarring to concertgoers reentering the live music space, but the new rules inside don't change the experience of phenomenal live music.
The Roadrunner is a new venue smack dab in Allston. It’s large with an exposed stage that might be daunting for an artist to fill. But on Wednesday night, Big Thief took the stage and filled it to the brim with emotion and power. Big Thief is a bluegrassy, indie, folk hybrid that has gathered attention since their debut album ‘Masterpiece’ was released in 2016. This tour is for their latest release, Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You: you can check out Nia’s review of the album here. Before the show, I didn’t really know their discography all that well, as I was introduced to them late last year by a friend. I went into the Roadrunner knowing just a few songs and only one by heart, thinking that I would spend the majority of the setlist trying to remember what song was playing so I could listen to it later. While this was true, I didn’t expect to feel completely gutted and euphoric at the same time.
The energy that the four of them create on stage at times feels like you’re sitting in on a rehearsal. At points, the lead singer, Adrianne Lenker (she/her) turned her back towards the audience to face her bandmates as they jammed. It was such a grounding experience to watch as you’re reminded that the sheer force of sound is created by just four people. They were laser-focused but still relaxed through the entire set. All four of them were totally in sync with each other and the audience the entire time.
Lenker's voice is a distinct mix of tranquility and ruggedness that beamed through the entire space. Her screams and shouts, brought out visceral reactions from me and my friends. . In songs like “Not” and “Flower of Blood,” she gives an eerie performance, while in songs like “Forgotten Eyes,” and “Change” she keeps herself in a quiet and calm place. Paired with the band's mastering of dynamics, it’s a match made in heaven. Though she didn’t directly speak to the audience much, she brought the entire crowd to silence to help a fan receive medical attention. Afterward, she checked in with everyone, reminding us to drink water, bend our knees, and be kind to each other. The punch her vocals pack is beyond comparison. What struck me was how the setlist never dragged. Despite not knowing their music very well, there was never a moment where I felt bored or got distracted while waiting for a song to end. As they finished up their main set, the obligatory “encore” chants took over the Roadrunner. Returning to the stage for the encore, Lenker welcomed her brother to play the jaw harp and the whole crowd went even crazier.
I can’t stress enough how amazing this concert was. As a mildly aware fan, I left the venue obsessively looking for the setlist online to connect each song to the new memories that were created during the show. Coming back to a live music venue at this time, whether it’s big or small, is still scary. However, that rush of adrenaline that you feel when you’re surrounded by live music is completely unbeatable. Big Thief has been one of the best concert experiences I’ve had ever, period.