For Big Thief, fragility and power come inextricably intertwined. Singer and guitarist Adrianne Lenker may let her songs sit and seethe for long stretches, but those slow builds only maximize the catharsis of the big, loud, high-volume bursts of force that follow.
Onstage at Stubb’s BBQ in Austin, Texas — recorded live Wednesday as part of NPR Music’s SXSW showcase — Adrianne Lenker brought a mix of new material and songs from last year’s terrific “Masterpiece”. Throughout the set, Big Thief’s sound billowed out in grand waves, matching the large stage and open-air setting, and by the end of “Masterpiece” (the band’s signature song so far), Lenker was on her back, lost in the intensity of the moment. It felt like just the beginning for a band with a big, bright future. a contrast to her 2013 solo LP, Hours Were The Birds, and her 2014 duo EPs with Buck Meek, a-sides and b-sides. Now, with Meek on guitar, Max Oleartchik on bass, and James Krivchenia on drums,
Set List
“Orange”
“Real Love”
“Vegas”
“Shoulders”
“Paul”
“Shark Smile”
“Parallels”
“Masterpiece”
“Mary”
The Fat Angel Sings 