Adrianne lenker Gig at the old fruitmarket
By Oona Wolseley
This concert marked the fourth stop on Adrianne Lenker's European tour, celebrating her latest album, Bright Future. Lenker’s performances embodied her mastery as a wordsmith, weaving metaphors with universal narratives, with her virtuoso guitar playing. Having seen Lenker perform with her band Big Thief in March 2023, I was intrigued to see this more individual and intimate performance. Onstage, simplicity reigned with a black piano, marked by a small image of a red moon, two lava lamps, a vintage chair, and Lenker's two guitars. Nick Hakim, who collaborated with Lenker on Bright Future, opened the show with a delicate 30-minute set. Hakim's stripped-back emotional performance showcased his lyrical vocals and piano playing, complementing the evening's energies and Lenker's own music. Hakim truly shone; later he performed alongside Lenker, creating beautiful harmonies that added depth to her vocal range and enhanced each track.
As Lenker took the stage, and greeted the audience nervously, eliciting a chuckle from the crowd. Lenker took a seat on a small, weathered chair she proudly shared was purchased earlier in Glasgow. With just her and her guitar, the stage was set for an infinitely intimate night, mirroring Lenker's intimate lyrics. This wasn't a concert driven by the urge to dance or mosh. Instead, it was marked by gentle swaying and a reverence for the pared-back craftsmanship of a brilliant guitarist and lyricist that demonstrated how the essence of folk music can flourish in the presence of a live audience. Lenker's music is at its heart emotional yet always playfully delivered. The whole night felt as though we were gathered together to mourn and celebrate something we had all lost and felt at one point in life.
Lenker began her set with 'Symbol' from her 2018 album, accompanied by her wonderfully unique guitar playing. Her style embodied a fusion of various guitar techniques, reflecting her deep connection with the instrument—it was as though it was an extension of her thoughts and emotions, a vessel for communication. Between each song, she meticulously retuned her guitar, subtly altering her playing each time. This aspect of her performance brought to mind the guitar styles of Molly and Nick Drake, particularly their experimental folk approaches. She followed with 'Kerina' from her album A-Sides (2014), a collaborative effort with her Big Thief bandmate and ex-husband, Buck Meek. She followed this with 'Abyss Kiss' from 2018’s Abysskiss. It appeared she was delving into her past catalog, guiding us through her personal journey, exploring themes of longing and love, and reflecting on how these experiences had shaped her over the past decade of her career.
'Simulation Swans', showcased her beautiful guitar prowess. Originally a Big Thief song, witnessing its rendition as a solo performance unveiled a new layer of intimacy. What was once a relatively upbeat track with poignant lyrics transformed into a deeply personal one. Lenker's ability to reinterpret Big Thief songs was remarkable. They didn't feel like stripped-down versions, lacking the band's other members; rather, she infused them with a fresh perspective. While retaining the essence of the original track of ‘Simulation Swans’, the change in delivery gave it a new life.
Someone in the crowd shouted that it was their friend's birthday. Lenker wished them a happy birthday and after a moment of tuning her guitar, inquired if there was a song they'd like to hear. The request was made for 'Zombie Girl', which the crowd softly sang along. This felt like a community event, rather than a paid for spectacle.
Hakim joined her on stage, at the piano. Together, they performed 'Already Lost,' 'No Machine,' and 'Free Treasure,' delivering beautiful harmonies. Lenker introduced the next song as a favorite of her own, 'Forwards Beckon Rebound' from her 2020 album, with Hakim lending a beautiful depth to the performance. As the song concluded, Hakim and Lenker conferred, deciding on the next piece to play. They transitioned into 'Anything,' accompanied by soft singing from the audience, creating a tranquil and familial atmosphere.
Lenker then debuted a new, untitled song that delved into her life's journey, touching on her childhood loves, her marriage to Meek. With lyrics like "live a whole life through, but I don't remember nothing before you," the song's simplicity and stripped-back delivery contained a profound sense of truth. Featuring more straightforward guitar playing, the song unfolded as a narrative of devotion, love, and personal history. At the song's conclusion, a fan tossed flowers onto the stage. Lenker launched into ‘Vampire Empire’, a track that's gained widespread recognition partly due to TikTok, prompting everyone in the audience to join in singing along. Midway through the song, Lenker transitioned into whistling, encouraging the crowd to join her in this whimsical interlude, with any form of whistling they could manage. Resuming her singing, she allowed the audience to seamlessly finish each sentence, creating a heartwarming moment of unity. After a graceful bow, Lenker gathered up the flowers and momentarily exited the stage, only to be met with the familiar Glasgow chant of "one more tune." Returning with Hakim, they began with ’Oldest’, Lenker’s guitar playing flowed smoothly like water over a rocky river, captivating the audience with its beauty. She then performed ‘Real House’, concluding the set with the heartbreaking ‘Sadness as a Gift’, Lenker expressed gratitude for a beautiful evening and a wonderful experience before bowing and exiting the stage for a final time.
The ability to reinvent her music is integral to Lenker's performances and her artistic ethos. There is no original version, just the version that she decides to play that evening. Each song became an interactive experience, as she subtly adjusted her guitar playing or vocal delivery, inviting the audience to engage with her music. It is music meant to be experienced live, not merely background noise for daily routines; it is meant to be felt and shared with others.