Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit’s concert at Rabbit Rabbit in Asheville on Friday night, 8/11/23 felt as if they were making “music on the porch on Sunday nights,” as Isbell sang in “Something to Love.” The only difference was the few thousand enthusiastic fans standing on the front lawn, singing along to every word. The sold-out show was a testament to Isbell’s reputation as a world-class lyricist and performer which has skyrocketed since his 2013 breakthrough album Southeastern.
The night began with S. G. Goodman, whose vocal style had hints of Isbell’s wife and former bandmate, Amanda Shires, and a touch of Lucinda Williams. Goodman, who had the opportunity to open a number of shows for Isbell, expressed her gratitude for the chance. She shared amusing anecdotes and included a competition between her electric guitarist and pedal steel guitarist to determine who would sleep on the pullout couch that night. She did a great job preparing the crowd for the headliner on her last night as part of this tour before joining Tyler Childers for a handful of shows.
Isbell’s set kicked off at 8 pm, spanning nearly two hours and showcasing the full range of his discography. The setlist included a mix of hits and deep cuts, with highlights like “Overseas,” which displayed Isbell’s exceptional vocal and guitar abilities, and “Save the World,” featuring a mesmerizing dual guitar solo between Isbell and the 400 Unit’s lead guitarist, Sadler Vaden.
Isbell’s performance of “Last of My Kind” was particularly moving, with a unique intro from the full band and powerful lyrics that sent chills through the crowd. The audience sang along, and an impressive solo from Sadler on electric guitar, backed by Jason on acoustic, served as an exclamation point to close out the song.
As the concert continued, Isbell took the opportunity to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his album “Southeastern,” hinting at the release of a reissue with live recordings and demos. The band played “Stockholm,” with beautiful harmonies between Jason and Sadler, and also “Super 8,” which always gets the crowd fired up.
Another highlight of the show was Vaden taking over as the lead vocalist for the song “Honeysuckle Blue,” which was originally recorded by his former band, Drivin’ N Cryin’, back in 1989. This song is also on Isbell’s album, “Georgia Blue,” which was an album of cover songs, performed with various musical guests, that celebrated the state of Georgia.
Isbell also performed “Cover Me Up,” which is one of his most well-known songs. As always, the crowd gave Isbell a heartwarming cheer when he sang “I sobered up, I swore off that stuff” forever this time” to show their support of his well-documented battle with addiction. As he sings in another song, “It gets easier but it never gets easy.”
The encore was a fitting end to the night, with performances of “24 Frames,” “If We Were Vampires,” and “This Ain’t It.” The last song featured an epic exchange of solos between Isbell and Sadler, leaving the audience in awe.
Throughout the evening, the chemistry between Isbell and his band, the 400 Unit, was evident. Although bassist Jimbo Hart was missing from the tour due to mental health issues, Anna Butterss from Australia stepped in, showcasing her skills on bass. Chad Gamble’s drumming provided a solid foundation, Derry deBorja added depth with his keyboards and accordion, and Vaden and Will Johnson’s guitar work was exceptional, especially during the epic solos in “This Ain’t It,” their version of “Free Bird,” which closed out the show.
The venue, Rabbit Rabbit, provided a straightforward but effective setting for the concert, with a stage and open space in front of it. The outdoor setting allowed for food trucks, offering options like tacos, pizza, and BBQ, but also meant a 10 pm curfew due to Asheville’s nighttime decibel laws. It was a night to remember, and it’s clear that Jason Isbell continues to be a force to be reckoned with in the Americana and rock scenes.