22 January 2016 at the O2 Kentish Town
The concert was originally booked at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire, but due to renovations the gig was moved to the O2 Kentish Town, which was a larger venue apparently. I had only recently discovered Jason Isbell while listening to all the best albums that came out in 2015. His 2015 album was entitled Something More Than Free. I immediately fell in love with his songs and his songwriting. His story is quite interesting. Born and raised in Athens, Georgia, he was formerly a member of Southern rock jam band the Drive-By Truckers. He played on three of their albums and contributed some songs to their records. In 2007, he was fired from the band due to his ongoing alcohol addiction, and he then divorced his wife and Drive-By Truckers bassist Shonna Tucker. Soon afterwards he made a couple of studio albums that really did get him anyway. Then he reconnected with an old musician friend Amanda Shires, a singer-songwriter and violinist, who motivated him to go to rehab and get sober. A while after that he released the album Southeastern, which received critical acclaim and performed well on the charts. Something More Than Free reached #7 on the Billboard 200 and topped the rock charts, the folk charts, and country music charts.
The show began with the opening act, a singer-songwriter from Tulsa, Oklahoma named John Moreland. Coincidentally, I saw John Moreland almost a year ago open up for Jim Lauderdale in Chicago. John was a big guy, big beard, glasses, trucker cap, he looked like he was from the Southeast. But once he closed his eyes and started plucking his Martin acoustic guitar and opened his both, your jaw dropped. This man had a beautiful voice, very reminiscent of Springsteen, except John's a better singer. John Moreland poured his heart out with every word he sang. His songs were full of pain, heartbreak, memory and beauty. Two songs that especially stuck out to me were "You Don't Care Enough For Me To Cry" and "Break My Heart Sweetly". Other highlights include "Nobody Give A Damn About Songs Anymore", "3:59", "Cherokee" and "Gospel". I was mesmerized by this artist's presence. He did not speak in between songs; just played one song write after the other. His performance last about 45 minutes, but I won't have minded if it went on another hour. I immediately bought his albums they were selling at the merchandise table, signed.
Next was the main event: Jason Isbell and his band the Unit 400. He kicked the show off strong with "Palmetto Rose" and "Stockholm", going straight in the title track "Something More Than Free". Jason was in fine form and the band was totally in the zone. Next were a couple of older tunes, the Drive-By Truckers tune "Decoration Day" and the Unit 400 number "Alabama Pines" (a fan favourite). Then he played my favorite Jason Isbell composition "Traveling Alone", a story about living your life without anyone to share your experiences and feelings with. Least to say there are times where I can relate to this situation. The show was filled with great songs, great rockers, and great energy on stage. Another personal highlight was when he performed my favorite track from Something More Than Free "24 Frames", which describes the memories the narrator reminisces about, full of both nostalgia and deep emotional pain.But by far the best highlight was Jason Isbell alone on stage with his acoustic guitar singing "Cover Me Up". The song, straight and simple, was about Jason's relationship with Amanda Shires and her motivating him to get sober. This single performance was one of triumph, inspiration, and glory. He had arrived, and we were in his presence to witness it. "Children of Children" is considered the best song Jason has ever written, and he performed at the end of his set before the encore. Some other great jams included the Drive-By Truckers number "Never Gonna Change" and the final number of the night "Codine".
Jason Isbell's set last nearly 2 hours. His band was absolutely phenomenal and Jason's voice and guitar playing shined throughout the venue. The whole audience was in complete attention. To put that more into perspective, I only saw one person with their phone out recording songs and taking pictures, and he was standing right next to me. I took some pictures as well, but the audience overall respectful and attentive. Even Jason acknowledged how the front house security was bringing cups of tap water to concert goers near the front: "They don't do nothin' like that in the states". Jason was very engaging with the audience. He had a fine sense of humor and was very appreciative. On stage he was full of confidence, charisma, and warmth. The upshot of this experience is, it was a PERFECT concert.
P.S.
Please check out Jason Isbell's albums Southeastern and Something More Than Free as well as John Moreland's albums In The Throes and High On Tulsa Heat
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