Big Thief came back to Atlanta on Thursday, October 30th, this time at the Fox Theatre, part of their Somersault Slide 360 Tour behind the band’s sixth album Double Infinity.
Opening the show was Lomelda, the music project of Hannah Read, a perfect precursor to what was to come. The six piece band bring their own version folk music to the table, finding solace in more experimental tones with unique instruments behind Hannah’s heartfelt lyrics. If anything, this set was completely just mesmerizing, engulfing the audience under a spell that felt like it ended too early.
Of course, then Big Thief hit the stage. The main attraction, and a band that easily feels like they will stand the test of time, from recordings to live shows.
We could sit here and go through the setlist, SetlistFM has you there (embedded below), but instead, let’s lean a little into the feeling this band creates.
Having seen Big Thief a number of times over the years, from The EARL to The Eastern and in between, and now the historic Fox Theatre, I can’t claim to be the expert, but I can speak from experience.
The fun thing about Big Thief’s “folk music”, is that their recordings can lean more into the experimental side, while others being closer to traditional folk music, which also shows up in their live shows. For some reason it’s felt like some shows lean more into the experimental side, while others are more focused on the traditional folk instrumentation, perhaps based on the album they are touring behind.
This show felt like a good mix that leaned more towards the experimental side, which makes a little sense, because you could say the latest album, Double Infinity, just released in September, is a solid mix of modern, experimental folk while still remembering those old school folk influences, just little more amped up in the live setting. There were guitars reverberating off the walls, solos that make Jim James proud (whom I saw the next two nights at the Fox), and just a generally great time from a tightknit group of people who just love playing together. It’s that love of the craft on stage makes it’s way to the audience, no matter the size of the venue.
Then again, could their be a much better venue to experience that love the Fox Theatre? And that’s the biggest thing I experienced during this show, and had me realizing this magical thing happens EVERY SINGLE TIME I’ve seen Big Thief live. A smile.
Could have been a simple smile. Could have been one of those big giant grins you didn’t even know you were capable of. Who knows. All I know is that I had a smile that took days after the show to go away.
This is a band that’s just impossible not to love. From their playful stage demeanor, from the range of emotions their different songs bring, to the lyrics that pull the heartstrings from every direction, to just the master musicianship, you boogie, you cry, you laugh, and you love. That’s a Big Thief show, and the Fox Theatre was a perfect venue to experience it.
The real takeaway I have from seeing Big Thief once again is that as much as I love and respect this band, I still don’t give them enough credit. Every damn time I’ve seen them live, I believe I’ve almost walked away surprised, like DAMN, that show was another level good, like I didn’t walk in knowing that was about to happen. It’s almost weird at this point, but I can remember having that feeling after each time I’ve seen them. I believe that says it all. Time to put the ultimate respect on Big Thief’s name!
Check out photos below from the Big Thief show at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA on Thursday, October 30th, all photos by Mike Gerry:
LOMELDA
BIG THIEF
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UPCOMING BIG THIEF TOUR DATES
Nov. 3 – Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa, OK
Nov. 4 – The Bomb Factory, Dallas, TX
Nov. 5 – Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park, Austin, TX
Nov. 7 – White Oak Music Hall Lawn, Houston, TX
