Photos by Will Oliver
As if Big Thief releasing U.F.O.F., one of the year’s most acclaimed albums wasn’t enough, the quietly prolific indie rock outfit returned with their second of the year, the arguably even better Two Hands (both released 4AD). Just days before the official release of the new LP, Big Thief kicked off this part of their U.S. tour with a sold out performance at Brooklyn Steel.
Which was an incredible thing to think about considering we were seeing them at smaller rooms or opening up for other acts not that long ago. But not only did they sell out Brooklyn Steel, but also two straight nights at Webster Hall, making quite the impressive statement about their career to date (they also gave one of the greatest late-night performances in recent memory on Colbert).
While some bands feel like the true project of a certain frontperson or few members, Big Thief feels like a balanced and collective partnership between singer/guitarist’s Adrianne Lenker & Buck Meek, bassist Max Oleartchik and drummer James Krivchenia. This has always seemed to be the case of their recordings, but it really shines through when you see them play as a unit live. There wasn’t a false note or wasted moment, and one could sense that this moment wasn’t lost on the band, as Meek recalled his days spent busking in Washington square park with Lenker and even going as far as saying “I can’t believe you’re all here.”
They dedicated most of the night’s setlist to the songs of both Two Hands and U.F.O.F., while of course playing their now older favorites such as “Shark Smile,” “Masterpiece” and “Mary,” not to mention both “Terminal Paradise” and “From” off of Lenker’s solo album abysskiss that was released last year. And as if they needed any other reason to remind us at the breakneck speed that they seem to work out, they also played two new songs with “Sparrow” and “Spud Infinity.”
Big Thief has truly arrived and in some ways, they’re only just getting started. It’s been quite amazing to watch their journey as a band and we’re excited to see what else the future holds for one of our most important young American bands.
Find a full photo gallery posted below, along with the setlist.
Big Thief setlist:
1. Two Hands
2. Forgotten Eyes
3. Not
4. Those Girls
5. The Toy
6. Shoulders
7. UFOF
8. Cattails
9. Century
10. Mythological Beauty
11. Terminal Paradise (Adrianne Lenker song)
12. From (Adrianne Lenker song)
13. Magic Dealer
14. Shark Smile
15. Masterpiece
16. Spud Infinity
17. Contact
Encore:
18. Sparrow
19. Real Love
20. Mary
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