Adrianne Lenker :: Steve Fisher
June 10, 2024
The Paramount Theater, Austin TX
Shot and Written by Grace Davis
Adrianne Lenkerβs concert was an intimate and emotionally charged experience, characterized by her distinctive voice, intricate guitar work, and deeply personal lyrics. The Paramount Theater had a warm, inviting feel, which complemented the introspective nature of her music. Before she played her first song, she gave the crowd a disclaimer stating that in the last hour, Steve's set βbroke her into a million pieces and put them back togetherβ. She then expressed her great amount of gratitude of Fisher and played her song βReal Houseβ off her latest album. The crowd was extremely attentive and respectful, filled with dedicated fans who deeply appreciated her artistry. There was a sense of community and shared experience among the attendees. Adrianne Lenker performed solo, allowing her complicated fingerpicking and emotive voice to take center stage. Her setlists included a mix of songs from her solo albums and tracks from her band Big Thief. She choose songs that showcase her storytelling ability and emotional depth. She also mentioned that it was difficult to pick and choose the right songs to play because she wanted to play her older songs and her more popular songs while also promoting her new album Bright Future. Lenker engaged with the audience in a modest and genuine manner. She shared personal anecdotes and the stories behind her songs, adding a deeper layer to the performance. Her voice was raw and full of emotion, capable of conveying a wide range of feelings. It was both fragile and powerful, drawing the listener into the narrative of each song. She is known for her detailed guitar work. Her playing style is often characterized by complex fingerpicking patterns and open tunings, creating a rich, textured sound. Her lyrics are poetic and thoughtful, often exploring themes of love, loss, nature, and existential reflections. The intimacy of her songwriting makes each performance feel like a personal conversation. Adrianne Lenkerβs concert was a profoundly moving experience. Her ability to convey deep emotions through her music often leaves the audience in a contemplative state. You could hear sniffles coming from the crowd from the start of the show. I donβt think this is because her lyrics are all inherently devastating at all, her music just has such a rare, personal sound that makes her listeners feel overcome by feelings that arenβt usually brought out by music. There was a strong sense of connection between Lenker and her audience. Her vulnerability on stage invited listeners to reflect on their experiences while she shared own, creating a shared emotional journey. Attendees left her show with a lasting impression, feeling as though theyβve witnessed something genuinely special and authentic. In summary, an Adrianne Lenker concert was a blend of delicate musical craftsmanship and raw emotional expression, making it a memorable and deeply affecting experience for those who attended.
Steve Fisher opened the Austin crowd with the most accurate display of Texas folk songwriting I've heard. He was already well known by the crowd for his cover of Lenker's song βAnythingβ that went viral in recent months. He talked about how he and Adrianne had spent the last few days together at the Kerrville Folk Fest and shared a special, highly respectful relationship. His music immediately reminded me of John Prine with a deeply nostalgic, peaceful feel. He played solo with his guitar, just like Adrianne. His lyrics were extremely personal, each song telling a story or teaching a dire sounding lesson. After every song or two he would let the crowd in on a story about him and Lenker or thank her for this opportunity. His music is not available on Spotify but you can find it on Bandcamp which I highly recommend doing.