Big Thief hit Los Angeles on Tuesday night for the first of a two-night stint at the Wiltern in Korea Town.
The group has always been known for their prolific output, but the hot streak they’re on now has transformed them from a ‘cool-if-you-know-them’ band to indie rock giants. Their most recent effort, Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You, is a sprawling 20 song record that sees them digging deeper into their folk roots while still expanding their musical palette. This follows lead singer Adrianne Lenker’s spectacular solo record songs in late 2020.
I had always heard Big Thief is an unmissable live band if you have the opportunity to see them. Much of their music is subdued and delicate, though, so I wondered how this would translate to the stage. My questions were answered immediately with an incredible run to open the show of “Forgotten Eyes”, “Black Diamonds”, and “Masterpiece”. Later in the setlist they explored songs from the aforementioned album just released and four previous beloved records. Other highlights included “Real Love”, the fiery “Not” and the ho-down charm of “Spud Infinity”.
The four-piece band have a pretty simple stage set up for this tour. No flashing lights and no crazy visuals; just four friends on stage bearing their heart to the audience. In line with the endearing earnestness of their music, Big Thief on stage seem like they’re doing what they do because they genuinely like it. We’re just lucky they’re so good at it.
In June, Big Thief continues their tour in Europe – dates below:
06-05 Paris, France – La Cigale
06-06 Paris, France – La Cigale
06-07 Lyon, France – Le Transbordeur
06-08 Bordeaux, France – Rock School Barbey
06-09 Barcelona, Spain – Primavera Sound 2022
06-11 Rotterdam, Netherlands – Best Kept Secret
06-12 Berlin, Germany – Tempelhof Sounds
06-13 Copenhagen, Denmark – VEGA
06-14 Stockholm, Sweden – Filadelfia
06-16 Helsinki, Finland – Sideways 2022
06-18 Stavanger, Netherlands – Mablis Festival 2022
06-20 Oslo, Norway – Rockefeller Music Hall
06-21 Gothenburg, Sweden – Pustervik
06-23 Cologne, Germany – Live Music Hall
06-27 Utrecht, Netherlands – Tivoli Vredgenburg
06-28 Brussels, Belgium – Cirque Royal
07-01 Hamburg, Germany – Fabrik
07-04 Berlin, Germany – Huxleys
Photos + Review by Andrew Ameter | Exclusively for Music, Why Not!
