If it weren’t for the large crowd assembled in the College of Charleston’s Cistern Yard to listen to Jason Isbell on June 8, one could compare his vibey, tranquil performance under the stars to calmy jamming around the campfire.
It’s also worth noting the five people who weren’t there: the members of the 400 Unit, which often tours with Isbell. No matter. The Alabama musician graced the stage as the final act in Spoleto Festival USA’s Front Row series with peeled-back, acoustic solo renditions of his work that no doubt charmed old fans and created new ones.
A man and his guitar wrap up a spectacular season
Isbell played a mixture of country-folk stylings varying between reserved, reflective pieces like “Different Days” and powerful ballads such as “Cover Me Up.” His talent as a sensitive storyteller especially showed in “White Beretta” and “Elephant,” which silenced the crowd with their emotional weight and Isbell’s powerful, tender vocals. He finished with a hushed rendition of “If We Were Vampires,” leaving the Cistern Yard on a quiet, haunting note.
Between songs, Isbell kept the hangout atmosphere alive by freely strumming his guitar and spinning yarns about his life, from his days as a University of Memphis student to his work acting in the Martin Scorsese film “Killers of the Flower Moon” and the stories behind some of his songs. His willingness to open up to the audience through these personal anecdotes made this particular performance feel special.
Without his backing band or an extravagant production to complement his music, Isbell proved that a humble attitude and emotional resonance are all he needs to draw in his audience. As the sun goes down on another Spoleto Festival, Isbell’s appearance at the Cistern Yard offered a relaxed, fulfilling way to close out three weeks’ worth of world-class performances.
Ethan Stinson is an arts journalism and communications graduate student at Syracuse University.
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