Big Thief

Monday 19th August, Bush Hall, London, Big Thief. With a an album still hot off the presses, UFOF released a few months back Big Thief have already have a new one, Two Hands, slated for release in October. Tonight’s last minute gig is acting as a showcase for this album. The big chief, Adrianne Lenker announces that they will be performing the whole album from start to finish for the very first time.

With many of these songs having never been performed live before the next fifty minutes or so is experimental at many times, with songs stopping and restarting, tempos changing mid song and each song is almost ‘growing up’ and developing in front of our eyes.

In a dimly red lit Bush Hall it’s a hushed crowd that is rapt from the very start as we are taken on an interesting musical journey. It’s quiet, its loud, its dark and moody, its upbeat, its folk its rock and this band defy you to pigeon hole them.

Whats clear is that there are some great tracks on this new album but for me it’s the rockier numbers that really grab you especially the 7 or so minute wig out jam at the end of one track.

There is little between song banter and Adrianne is clearly nervous about sharing her new baby to the world. She needn’t have worried as there is enough love from her ‘crowd family’ to see her through.

Once the new album is over the show continues with selected songs from this year’s first album, ironically a brand new song not even on the new album and ends on the enigmatic ‘Mary’.

I leave a little confused on whether I really enjoyed the show or not. The stop start nature of the new tracks made for a disjointed musical experience but I’m sure the band will grow into these new songs as they are road honed. I will use my often worn words that this was not a great gig but a gig of great moments.

Till the next time keep on dark and broody rockin y’all

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To be honest I was a little underwhelmed. The band played well, but the song selection was a mixed bag, with a lot of low key options taken ahead of their more popular tunes.

Adrienne awkwardly rambled on in-between some songs, often seeming like she was out of it. She'd start a sentence and would only finish it with a little assistance from the band.

They were highly likable, and when they nailed it, they really nailed it beautifully... but there was just too much drifting and not enough highlights.

The sound mixing was okay, but the lighting options taken were pretty average. I'm pretty sure my 4 year old daughter gets on a better light show with her 'Frozen' night lights.

Would I see them again? Yeah, sure - maybe I just didn't know (or like) the new stuff as much as the old & they weren't bad... they just weren't great either.

Great show, been to see Adrianne Lenker twice before, once in Whelan's with big thief and the other by herself in button factory. She has been fantastic every time and this time was no different. The gig was incredible and mad suffering from the hangover from the night before a lot easier. It was so different compared to last time, felt a lot more like a indie rock performance compared to in Whelan's where it was more indie folk. Buck sang a song by himself and it was amazing, love his solo stuff. They played two new songs the first of which is called hands or something, I really loved and can't wait to be able to listen to it. Great gig overall and top class performance.

Big Thief was incredible. One of the best concerts I have ever been to, despite the venue not being ideally suited for them. That is how entrancing and hypnotizing Big Thief is able to be. The vocals, the guitar, the bands palpable empathetic synergy made you feel like you were watching talent executed in its purest form. Not perfect, raw and real and inspirational. The sad and sweet sound of Big Thief will be blasting through my headphones for weeks to come and I will replay the night I saw them live endlessly. Fantastic show. Incredible to witness.

Definitely an experience that will stay with me for a long time. The day after, I am still full of energy, nothing else was really important today for me, and nothing negative could get through the full feeling their music and performance left in me. Thank you!! Also, amazing location and perfect sound equalization in Lido (Berlin), plus GREAT GREAT AUDIENCE.

They were absolutely stellar. They interact with the crowd and seem genuinely happy to be performing. The lead singer is incredible. Her voice and lyrics are heart wrenching. They played a lot of songs, old, current, and a handful of new music. I highly recommend seeing big thief live. You won’t regret it even if you’re not familiar with their music.

Honestly, I'm very disappointed. It was like Adrianne's solo show but she was too stoned as to sing or play nicely. The set list and the perform were boring, they never connected with the audience and even started one song three times to finally not finish playing it. It all felt like a fraud.

They’re completely unique for our time. I’m genuinely happy that they happened while I was alive and could go to their shows. They always give so much, although this European Tour 2020 is probably being especially tough. I don’t know... again last night an act of generosity.

10/10

Really great live. Varied with soft moments to cool solos and all in all great groove and vocals.
I'd say their dynamic is even more outspoken than on their albums.
Me and my friends really enjoyed it. Wanted to get a t-shirt but had to catch a train.