Gregory Alan Isakov @ The Gov, Adelaide 29/1/2024
When the cobwebs of a long weekend cloud your Monday, there is no better way to clear them than with live music.
Thanks to Grammy Award-nominated singer/ songwriter Gregory Alan Isakov, the cobwebs were eviscerated for those at The Gov in Tarntanya/ Adelaide this Monday.
Touring in support of his current album Appaloosa Bones (2023), Isakov’s performance was laced with warmth, subtlety, and brimming with emotion. Unifying rudiments of folk, Americana, and indie rock with lyrical and candid storytelling, he was enchanting from the first notes of Before the Sun.
Across a stunning eighteen-song set, the sold-out venue was treated to a plethora of music from Isakov’s six-album discography.
‘It’s so damn good to be here,’ Isakov professed as we raucously applauded. The banter and strident praise became the mainstays of the evening. They helped to construct a more intimate setting. Well, as intimate as a gig can be with eight hundred people.
With his four-piece band, Isakov traversed through songs Southern Star, Dark, Dark, Dark, San Luis with its dreamy intro, and The Fall. This Empty Northern Hemisphere was mesmerising and showcased his remarkable vocal range. So much so that I had to do a double-take to see if it was Isakov singing.
The slow burner, Miles to Go, was the calm before the joyous storm of Big Black Car. One of Isakov’s most admired songs generated a sing-along and a myriad of phone cameras hovering above heads capturing the moment. With its stunning violin and overall composition, Big Black Car is a vibrant yet emotional song. I had to catch my breath when it concluded, as I’m sure many did.
Amsterdam, a solo rendition of She Always Takes It Black, and Second Chances were gorgeous mid-set palate cleansers. They led into the show highlight – Liars. Infused with musical richness and a lyrically poetic narrative, it was breathtaking.
Watchmen and Appaloosa Bones followed before the powerful Caves, and its encouragement to ‘Let’s put all these words away’ concluded the main set.
A three-song encore broke the intensity of the previous seventy minutes and allowed a lightness to permeate the air. The Stable Song, the wistful Dandelion Wine, and All Shades of Blue concluded an earnest and exquisite performance.
Gregory Alan Isakov’s intrinsic talent is in capturing hearts, memories, and moments with his music. Witnessing this live was something to behold. If this is the calibre of live music we are experiencing, 2024 will be a stellar year.
Live Review By Anita Kertes