Jason Isbell sets gold standard at Avondale Brewing in Alabama: ‘I love playing here’

Jason Isbell sets gold standard at Avondale Brewing in Alabama: ‘I love playing here’

Home state love was flowing in abundance on Friday night, as Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit played the first of two sold-out shows at Avondale Brewing Co. in Birmingham.

The outdoor venue, which holds about 2,500 people, has been a major player on the city’s concert scene in recent years, earning kudos from fans with its reduced-capacity shows during the coronavirus pandemic and gaining even more momentum afterward.

Big names have performed at Avondale Brewing Co. in 2023 — including Wilco, Ryan Adams, Brett Young and Goose — and more are set to play there this year, including Janelle Monae and moe. True, the venue had a setback in May when a Ted Nugent booking prompted an angry backlash. But after canceling the Nugent date, Avondale Brewing Co. appears to be going strong.

A double appearance by Isbell — a North Alabama native, acclaimed singer/songwriter, multiple Grammy winner, high-profile documentary subject and now, actor in a Martin Scorsese movie — only adds to the venue’s prestige.

Isbell, 44, has performed in Birmingham before, of course, as a solo artist and during his years with the Drive-By Truckers. He’s a favorite here, and some would expect Isbell to showcase his new album, “Weathervanes,” with multiple dates at the Alabama Theatre or maybe one big ol’ show at Oak Mountain Amphitheatre. Nope!

Promoter Red Mountain Entertainment (which is part of concert giant Live Nation) and Birmingham Mountain Radio set their sights on Avondale Brewing Co., smack dab in one of the city’s most popular entertainment zones. The venue at 201 41st St. South has a spacious pavilion area, artificial turf on the ground, picnic tables on the periphery and a congenial neighborhood vibe.

Fans wait for Jason Isbell’s headlining set at Avondale Brewing Co. in Birmingham on June 23, 2023. (Mary Colurso | [email protected])

At this casual site, tickeholders could stand and cheer, dance and hold beers aloft, line up at the barricades in the “premium pit” area or hang back and chill with the general-admission folks. In fact, attending Friday’s concert felt like being at a mini music festival or some high roller’s backyard party, with S.G. Goodman as the 7 p.m. opening act and Isbell as the 8:12 p.m. headliner.

Birmingham fans came out in force to show their affection and respect for Isbell, and the artist declared it a mutual admiration society.

“I love playing here; this is a good town,” Isbell said from the stage, about halfway through his two-hour show. “Good people, good food, good women sometimes.” Isbell also noted that his mother, Angela Hill Barnett, was in the house on Friday — a warm grace note that amped up the home-state appeal.

A total of 19 songs were on the setlist, many of them gems pulled from “Weathervanes,” such as “Death Wish,” “King of Oklahoma,” “Cast Iron Skillet,” “Save the World,” “When We Were Close,” “Vestavia Hills” and “This Ain’t It.”

Side note: It was interesting to see a significant number of fans singing along as if they’d known the lyrics for years, instead of just a short time. ”Weathervanes” was released on June 9, but some of the tracks could be heard in the months prior.

Jason Isbell Avondale Brewing Company 2023

Fans sing along as Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit perform at Avondale Brewing Company in Birmingham, Ala., Friday, June 23, 2023. (Ben Flanagan / AL.com)

Isbell’s talent as a storyteller was much on display in these darkly beautiful songs, which a colleague at AL.com, Matt Wake, has compared to artworks in a “Southern-gothic folk-rock” vein. They make you listen. They make you think. They make you reflect on life in all its glorious and gritty complexity.

Friday’s concert also placed an emphasis on tunes from “Southeastern,” a 2013 solo album that many consider to be Isbell’s finest work, not to mention a personal, post-rehab manifesto. Isbell said he wanted to celebrate the album reaching its 10-year mark, which meant fans got to hear “Super 8,” “Traveling Alone,” “Stockholm” and an especially lovely rendition of “Cover Me Up.” (Sorry, Morgan Wallen, Isbell sets the gold standard on this one.)

As a bonus, Isbell and the band tossed in “24 Frames,” “Last of My Kind,” “If We Were Vampires” and “Alabama Pines,” probably the biggest crowd-pleaser. (See the full setlist here.)

Isbell isn’t a flamboyant frontman — you won’t see him twirling a microphone stand or leaping from a stack of stage gear — but that’s not necessary when a gifted musician places his songs front and center, allowing them to be the real stars of the show.

Jason Isbell Avondale Brewing Company 2023

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit perform at Avondale Brewing Company in Birmingham, Ala., Friday, June 23, 2023. (Ben Flanagan / AL.com)

Emotional impact was achieved through Isbell’s fine vocals, finessing or powering through the lyrics, and the understated genius of his guitar work. Isbell stands and sings, stands and plays, stands and delivers. It’s enough.

As expected, Isbell was a generous bandleader, acknowledging the contributions of the 400 Unit throughout the evening. Drummer Chad Gamble was a standout, especially on the “Weathervanes” material, and bassist Anna Butterss, who’s filling in for Jimbo Hart, served the music well with her cool grooves.

Guitarist Sadler Vaden provided fleet-fingered solos and slippery slide work, pairing or dueling with Isbell as the tunes required. Derry deBorja handled keyboards and accordion with skillful assurance, and Will Johnson, who’s touring with the band this year, was a welcome addition on guitar, drums, backing vocals and percussion (including a gong).

Jason Isbell Avondale Brewing Company 2023

Sadler Vaden, left, and Anna Butterss perform with Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit at Avondale Brewing Company in Birmingham, Ala., Friday, June 23, 2023. (Ben Flanagan / AL.com)

Johnson wasn’t easy to see on stage, tucked into a corner that was dimly lit and partially hidden by instruments and equipment. Isbell made sure to point him out, however, and mentioned that Johnson had provided backing vocals for “Super 8″ on the recording sessions for “Southeastern.”

Overall, this was an excellent show, although fans might have wished for the inclusion of a favorite song or two. (Gotta love Isbell’s cover of Candi Staton’s “Heart on a String.”) And if you’re wondering why singer/songwriter Amanda Shires didn’t sit in with her husband’s band, adding fiddle and vocals to the mix, well, she’s touring overseas.

There were no issues with sound quality at Friday’s concert, by the way, and no annoying technical glitches. Thank you, sound engineer and road crew.

Isbell and the 400 unit performed again on Saturday at Avondale Brewing Co., and by the time you read this, their two-night stint will be history. OK, make that a highly satisfying moment in Birmingham music history.

MORE ON JASON ISBELL:

The story behind Jason Isbell’s surprising new album and his new touring musicians

Thought you knew Jason Isbell’s story? You don’t know the half of it

Jason Isbell’s ‘Vestavia Hills’: Read full lyrics to Alabama native’s song from new album

Band member thanks Jason Isbell for ‘space and grace’ to take mental health break