I usually listen to Gregory Alan Isakov’s music as a nice background for studying or walking to my next class, but the live experience is unmatched. The melodies of the band, brought alive by the strumming of the guitar and the orchestration, felt magical when put together with Isakov’s vocals.
The show started with the titular song of Isakov’s latest album, “Appaloosa Bones.” Setting the scene, the song had a reflective and melancholy sound unique to Isakov’s style. Dealing with themes of loss and discovery through nature, the crowd was quiet taking in the beautiful atmosphere created by the song. The band had a fun moment, seamlessly transitioning from the violin and bass duet into “Southern Star.”
The crowd grew energized, clapping and singing along as the song’s tempo picked up. The dynamics of the lights flashing around the band livened the experience. Isakov took a second to express his gratitude for the audience.
“It’s so good to be here tonight,” Isakov said.
Throughout the next few songs, standout moments included a beautiful violin solo and flashing lights electrifying the crowd near the halfway point of “This Empty Northern Hemisphere.”
Afterward, Isakov thanked the members of his band including Jeb Bows on the violin; Steve Varney on the banjo, guitar and piano; Max Barcelow on the drums; John Paul Grigsby on the bass; and Danny Black on guitar and steel. Next, they led into “Miles to Go,” which is an emotional song about solitude and your journey, reminding the audience, “Miles to go / But we’re almost home.”
“My cousin told me to play this song,” Isakov said. “She’s a lot younger, and she was like, ‘Some gardening lady put it on TikTok’ or something.”
Isakov poked fun at himself for messing up “Big Black Car” every night, and then the band began its opening chords.
“If you know any of the words, please, God, help,” Isakov said.
As if he had predicted the future, Isakov missed the first beat, which evoked a cheerful reaction from the audience. He caught the melody the second time. Although the song was trending on TikTok, Isakov’s vocals elevated the song beyond any trend, making me feel the nostalgic ringing of harmonies building throughout.
Later into the set, Isakov brought out Erin Rae for “If I Go, I’m Goin” with soulful harmonies that were beautifully intertwined by the two artists. For the last two songs, “Dark, Dark, Dark” and “The Stable Song,” the band gathered around Isakov to deliver instrumentals, incorporating elements of the soft guitar, banjo, shakers, violin and bass.
The night ended with Isakov thanking the audience for taking the time to come out to FirstBank Amphitheater and support him as well as openers Ray La Montagne and Rae. The crowd was standing and cheering for Isakov for melding the worlds of soft guitar, raspy vocals and layered harmonies into a nostalgic and tranquil folk performance.
