Big Thief - Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You (February 11, 2022) Album • Page 63

Honestly had a feeling this was coming. I forget what interview it was, might have been in relation to Adrianne’s song workshop, but she mentioned the conversations the band had around Israel (even pre Oct 7, in regards to playing Tel Aviv) were convos that would break up most bands. I’m sure those have only intensified since. But this is just me doing some conjecturing on my own.

 

I imagine the current situation in Israel definitely lead to this but that’s just speculation on my part.

 

Yep, I'm sure it worked out as long as it could but with Adrianne's benefit EP and what we can only assume might be his positions made it untenable.

 

His whole shtick and stage presence was kind of off-putting to me before the whole Israel concert debacle anyway tbh. Also with James doing so much production and Adrianne/Buck obviously being the core of the band it feels like Max is the most replaceable member without a doubt

 

Maybe this'll inject some new energy into them. Seeing what was basically the same tour for 3 years was a bit sad.

 

They sound pretty great live, but I don't enjoy going to their shows.

 

Idk personally I’ve never felt a lack of energy aside from when they were touring and Adrianne had to sit the entire show because of back pain and also it didn’t feel like they were touring the same show for 3 years to me

I think when they are on they are a phenomenal live band

 

I saw them when she had to sit down and at Pitchfork & they were close enough IMHO. Didn't really have a good time at either show.

 

The Pitchfork show was just okay I’ll give ya that, but I won’t fault them for the lack of energy for any of the shows where Adrianne had to sit down because it wasn’t her fault and at least they played the shows to the best of their ability.

 

Hard agree.

 

Seen them 3 times and all 3 are among the finest shows I’ve ever been to. Incredible live band.

 

I was put off this band because they had been booked to play Tel Aviv. Adrienne's fundraising for Palestine was admirable. I'm gonna guess it was a point of contention for Max. Good riddance.

 

Yeah tough crowd in here, I’ve only seen them once, but it was during the dragon tour at the height of my excitement/expectations and they didn’t come close to disappointing

 

I saw them early 2022 and they were amazing. I'd definitely go again now they've done an about-face on their support of Israel.

 

when I saw em in Sydney they were very good even though they leaned heavily on the country stuff which is my least favourite part of their sound. I still enjoyed myself but they seem like a band whose quality could wildly vary from night to night based on the setlist

 

I guess to be fair, I've seen them 4 times. Three of those were at pitchfork. The first time it was raining and the band just looked miserable. Second time was legit. Third time absolutely stunk. And then the other time was when Adrienne was injured. So I guess I haven't had the best shows - And I'll still see em again!

 

i saw them at pitchfork in 2021 (i think) and it was one of the best live performances i’ve seen. i saw them again in 2022 when adrienne was dealing with the back issues and it was okay.

 

Same. And then last year at P4K again and it was fine, felt like more of the same.

 

And I was very much turned off by their two attempts to play Tel Aviv and how tone deaf it was each time. Thankfully that seems to be resolved. I had largely stopped listening to them as a result, might start to let it back in now.

 

Was the second time at P4K before Phoebe Bridgers in 2021? Thought they blew her away, they basically closed the show. The best of the times I’ve seen them, electric show.

I got to see them a couple nights prior to that one in Indy and it was a very similar experience, but even more intimate. They were really vibing during that leg of the tour, seemed to be in a really good spot as a band.

Saw them again last fall and it was a much angrier and more visceral experience. You could just tell something was different about them, and this was still maybe two weeks from Oct 7. They at times seemed frustrated, but were riding the TikTok wave from “Vampire Empire” and once they clicked the set was rocking. Also that song smoked live, crowd was absolutely buzzing.

I’ve seen Adrianne solo once as well. Also very intimate and cool. Quietest crowd of all time. Very respectful.

 

Yeah so I saw them two nights in a row in 2021 at P4K and here at a club in STL and both were among the best shows I’ve seen. Haven’t seen them since but just going from live videos (which isn’t fair I suppose) they have seemed kind of off live recently

the stopping and starting thing on the P4K stream last year was not cute and really annoying for example

 

The Pitchfork set (most recent one) was not great but eh, I don’t hold bad shows against artists unless there’s a super legit reason to be angry, especially since it seemed like an anonoly vs the norm. I just saw Adrianne live recently and it was my favorite show of the year.

 

the most recent pitchfork set where they headlined it was brutal IMO. the one before pitchfork was one of the best festival performances i've ever seen.

 

Them leading into Phoebe was otherworldly.

 

You know a band is killing it when the new stuff goes over almost better than the old classics.