Live Music Review: Jenny Lewis at the Plaza
by Stephanie SnyderTuesday, June 30, 2009
"And I share with my friends a couple of beers in the Orlando streets..."
- JENNY LEWIS, THE CHARGING SKY
Jenny Lewis and her band played Orlando's Plaza Theatre last night, treating concert-goers to an epic set -- a mixture of old and new tunes, from her first solo record (the folk-influenced Rabbit Fur Coat) and her latest effort (the edgier, Southern rock-leaning Acid Tongue).
Before the opening act took stage, there was a screening of a short film documenting the making of Acid Tongue. It was interesting to see how the songs took shape, but also offered a rather personal insight into the artist's life. Lewis fits the mold of the quintessential indie starlet and is probably best known as the lead singer of the band Rilo Kiley and also as a former child star. But with this new record, she has established herself as so much more than that. She's a bona fide rockstar, prolific songwriter and a force to be reckoned with.
Excerpt from the Jenny Lewis documentary
Ohio-based band the Heartless Bastards offered support as the only opening act. The band, fronted by Erika Wennerstrom, was impressive. They were a fitting opening act with their bluesy rock tunes. Wennerstrom's voice is powerful, gritty and strangely androgynous. Their songs consisted of drawn-out jams with raunchy, hard blues guitar solos perfectly complementing Wennerstrom's wailing, sometimes Robert Plant-esque vocals (she cites Zeppelin as an influence).
And then it was time for Jenny Lewis. The petite and fiery frontwoman took the stage with just a lone spotlight and a small acoustic guitar, as she announced quietly, "This is an old song," and proceeded to play a stripped-down rendition of Rilo Kiley tune, "Silver Lining." Her voice truly soared and I'm certain she had everyone enraptured -- you could've heard a pin drop.
Completely switching gears, Lewis' talented band joined her onstage for the super-catchy, country-influenced number "Carpetbaggers." Lewis and her band were polished and tight. The musicianship was unquestionable. Backup singer Danielle Haim was a jack of all trades, banging the drums, playing an achingly soulful guitar solo ("Pretty Bird") and manning the tambourine and rhythm sticks.
Some favorites were the heartfelt "Godspeed", the upbeat, gospel-influenced "Jack Killed Mom," with its clinking piano and harmonies, and the ultimate sing-a-long song "Acid Tongue."
The audience seemed generally mild-mannered throughout the show, but towards the end, things definitely got livelier. During the band's cover of the Traveling Wilburys' "Handle With Care," the audience slowly, but surely, started trickling toward the stage. The momentum continued with "The Next Messiah," a memorable nine-minute, three-song mashup with ridiculously infectious drum beats and bass lines. The crowd danced, danced and danced some more, unleashing a pent-up need to bust a move that they had been suppressing the entire show.
"I don't write about Orlando just because," Lewis quipped, referring to her song "The Charging Sky" in which she references Orlando. She was visibly appreciative of the crowd's enthusiasm.
It almost goes without saying -- but Orlando appreciates you too, Jenny.
Setlist
1. Silver Lining
2. See Fernando
3. The Charging Sky
4. You Are What You Love
5. Pretty Bird
6. Carpetbagger
7. Jack Killed Mom
8. Black Sand
9. Godspeed
10. Happy
11. Rise Up With Fists
12. Just Like Zeus
13. Trying My Best to Love You
14. Handle With Care
15. The Next Messiah
Encore:
1. Acid Tongue
2. Big Wave
3. Born Secular
