Jason Isbell – July 9th – Dillon Amphitheater

Photos by Kevin Matinico

On a picturesque summer evening by the lake, Dillon Amphitheater was packed with fans eagerly awaiting a sold-out performance by the renowned singer-songwriter Jason Isbell and his band, the 400 Unit. With Deer Tick as the opening act, the stage was set for an unforgettable night of music.

Having seen Jason Isbell numerous times before, including during his tenure with the Drive-By Truckers, I knew what I was in for. However, this evening held an air of excitement as it marked my first time seeing him since his excellent new album, Weathervanes, had been released.

Deer Tick wasted no time getting the crowd in the mood, leaning heavily on tracks from their latest album, Emotional Contracts. The energy emanating from the stage was infectious, and the audience responded, many of whom were there primarily for the band from Rhode Island. With almost every member taking a turn at the mic, it was a diverse set of songs exploring the trials and tribulations of being a human being.

As the sun set over the lake and the air started to cool, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit emerged, greeted by a roaring sea of applause. Opening with the first track from the new album, “Save the World,” Isbell immediately showcased his lyrical prowess and the band’s exceptional musicianship. The crowd was with them, hanging onto every word and note.

With less banter than Isbell is known for, he and the band performed almost every song from Weathervanes while seamlessly blending in fan favorites such as “Dreamsicle,” “Last of My Kind,” “Stockholm,” and “Flying Over Water.” The night was a celebration. A celebration of making it through the COVID years, a celebration of the 10^th anniversary of the album that put him on the map post-Truckers, a celebration of the release of their best album in years, and a celebration of being able to play beautiful venues like Dillon Amphitheater. “We’ve played some questionable places and did some questionable things just to get here.”

Isbell was joined on stage by Dominic Davis on bass, Derry Deborja on keys, Chad Gamble on drums, and Will Johnson (the new member of the 400 Unit) on guitar, keys, and gong. When someone in the crowd asked where Amanda Shires was, Jason’s snarky reply was the perfect comedic relief after a heavy run of emotional selections. “Is the Wi-Fi that bad in here? Amanda is in Gruene, TX, with Asleep at the Wheel. That information is easy to find out. I’m not Google.”

In many cases, a band performing a brand new album almost in its entirety isn’t something to hope for, but Isbell fans are different. Most of us had seen him perform so often that we were hungry for new songs. That said, it wouldn’t be an Isbell concert without “Cover Me Up.” So, that’s what he ended the main set with. And, as heart-wrenchingly good as it was, I was still reeling from what will be a new live staple for years to come, “Miles.” What a treat that one was!

A three-song encore, including “24 Frames” and “If We Were Vampires,” took us that much closer to curfew, but there was still time for one more. “This Ain’t It” ensured the night didn’t end on a downer. After that rocker, I would have headed straight to the bar if I didn’t have to drive back to Denver, blasting Weathervanes the entire ride.