The big yellow tourbus parked outside the the famed Orange Peel on Friday, July 23rd marked the first un-podded live show the place has had in far too long. The venue tonight was sold out but masks were preferred and the air was humid and filled with an exciting buzz that is palpable. Indie pop sensation Michelle Zauner, also known as Japanese Breakfast, is a big deal right now, fresh after her bands successful appearances on both Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel’s late night shows.
With a brand new album called Jubilee to promote, the show was only the second date of what looks to be a grueling 60 plus date U.S. tour that is taking the band well into mid-November before hitting Europe in 2022.
On Friday, it was clear that there were some pretty hardcore JB fans in attendance, squashed at the front of stage barrier and giving is a huge roar of approval when the band took to the stage. When Michelle Zauner arrived, she was wearing a voluminous black and white full length dress and took instant command of the stage. As the band launched into opener “Paprika,” she hit a gong with joyful abandon as she sang “How’s it feel to be at the center of magic?” For her fans in Asheville this night, it felt fantastic.
The songs on Jubilee sound lush and multi-faceted with strings, horns and synths not unlike the Sufjan Stevens opus “Come on Feel the Illinoise.” Michelle’s band did a wonderful job of recreating the album’s richness, and the setlist was a journey through all three of Michelle’s albums thus far. There were many highlights throughout the show, including their run through of “Kokomo, IN,” whose orchestral backdrop brought to mind Belle and Sebastian playing an outtake from Pet Sounds. “Tactics” came after with a simply gorgeous melody that lingered long after hearing it. The concert’s production was top notch with some truly ethereal lighting, providing the perfect accompaniment to the music.
“Posing in Bondage” was another high spot and it sounded as sultry as the recorded version. The song “In Hell“ is a darker tune with lyrics that were written about Michelle having to send her beloved dog to the rainbow bridge in the sky. Later in the show, she played a favorite song off the new record, “Posing for Cars,” which ended with an emotional guitar solo dripping with depth and feeling. It felt wonderful to finally be back in a room full of music loving people. At times it felt as if it was never going to happen. Tonight’s concert proved that for The Orange Peel, live music is back, and thanks to Japanese Breakfast, it’s back with a bang.
