Tonight witnessed the debut appearance in Wolverhampton of Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, albeit Isbell had previously played the Wulfrun Hall back in 2006 when still a member of the Drive-By Truckers. Much has changed over the past two decades, Isbell having established himself as a multiple Grammy award winning solo artist and band leader, with week long residences at the Ryman an annual fixture in the calendar. Despite his rise to stardom across the Atlantic, here in the UK, he remains something of a well-kept secret. Nevertheless, those fortunate enough to be aware of his talents are unquestionably with him for the long haul.
Touring in support of 2023’s Weathervanes, around half of the show is taken from it, beginning with an emotional ‘Save the World’ that led into the muscular ‘King of Oklahoma’, complete with soaring guitars, and the gentle acoustic tones of ‘Strawberry Woman’. “Genius”, called out a voice in the crowd, and they were spot on. Brilliantly structured songs, punctuated by passionate and honest lyrics, are his stock in trade. Something of a reluctant frontman, Isbell preferred to let the music speak for itself, albeit acknowledging the talents of his band throughout, namely Anna Butterss on bass, Sadler Vaden on guitars, Derry deBorja on keys and accordion, drummer Chad Gamble and Will Johnson on additional drums and guitars.
Although newer material bookended the show, there was still room for the older songs, with half a dozen from 2013’s Southeastern, the critically acclaimed breakthrough album that really launched his post-Truckers career. Musically, there was much diversity on show, from the euphoric ‘Flying over Water’, to the dark acapella of ‘Live Oak’ and boisterous rocker ‘Super 8’. The stand out moments, however, were reserved for the stark ‘Elephant’, performed as a duet with deBorja, and main set closer ‘Cover Me Up’, that charts Isbell’s journey into sobriety and what would be the turning point in his life.
An incendiary performance from start to finish, you get a sense this was business as usual for Isbell & the 400 Unit and they simply never have an off night. The encore began with the punchy ’24 Frames’, followed by a wonderfully emotive ‘Cast Iron Skillet’, yet another contender for the best song Isbell has ever written with its perfect blend of melody and narrative. For the finale, Isbell and Vaden switched gears and became fully fledged guitar heroes, trading blows to thunderous effect on ‘This Ain’t It’. In a word, sensational.
Set List: –
Save the World
King of Oklahoma
Strawberry Woman
Traveling Alone
Stockholm
Flying Over Water
Live Oak
Alabama Pines
Elephant
Super 8
If You Insist
Middle of the Morning
Overseas
If We Were Vampires
Miles
Cover Me Up
Encore: –
24 Frames
Cast Iron Skillet
This Ain’t It
Photos by Elliot Pedley
