Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit – May 2nd – Mission Ballroom

Photos by Tim Dwenger

The Mission Ballroom was buzzing with anticipation as fans streamed in for the Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit concert on a crisp May evening. Denver, a city known for its vibrant music scene, had gathered a diverse crowd—hipsters in flannel shirts, middle-aged couples, and even a few wide-eyed teenagers who had just discovered Isbell’s soulful tunes. The room was crowded, and it was clear that everyone was there to listen and bask in the intricate wordplay of one the best songwriters of our time.

As the lights dimmed, Isbell and the band came out to Glen Campbell’s “Wichita Lineman” and dropped right into the slightly controversial “When We Were Close” – a song that goes deep on Isbell’s friendship with the late Justin Townes Earle. From there Isbell played a trio of brilliant tunes as he showcased “King of Oklahoma,” “Strawberry Woman,” and a personal favorite of mine “Last of My Kind.” Now, anyone familiar with Jason Isbell’s work knows that he’s not exactly known for flashy stage effects. But he surprised us all when lasers danced across the room, creating intricate patterns in the haze that filled the room. It was an unexpected twist, and, to be honest, I’m not really sure it worked as it just didn’t seem to fit with the music.

The setlist was a mix of old favorites and tracks from their latest album. Of course old favorites like “Cover Me Up,” “Super 8,” and “Alabama Pines” had a joyful audience singing along, it was “Elephant” and “If We Were Vampires” that left a lump in our throats. As the band played “Vampires” after Amanda Shires and her band had opened the show, the recent news of their divorce hung heavy in the air and the lyrics took on a new meaning. A  bittersweet tribute to love’s impermanence, it is clear that the song isn’t going to be shelved just because the relationship he wrote it about is ending.

And then there was Jason’s guitar playing. He wielded it masterfully, coaxing out notes that seemed to hang in the air long after they were played. Whether it was the soulful slide guitar on “24 Frames” or the blistering solos in “Decoration Day,” Jason’s mastery was undeniable. His fingers danced across the frets, and we were all spellbound. For some who hadn’t seen the 400 Unit in a little while the real surprises of the night came with the absence of Jimbo Hart (replaced by Anna Buetterss) and the addition of Will Johnson to the band. The former Centro-matic frontman has seamlessly blended into the band, his guitar work and percussion augmenting the band with an understated elegance.

As he returned to the stage for the obligatory encore, Jason stepped to the mic, his eyes scanning the room. “Denver,” he said in his recognizable southern drawl, “thank you for being here tonight.” After the supremely delicate brilliance of “Cast Iron Skillet,” the lasers pulsed one last time for The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven” and somehow they felt a little more appropriate than earlier in the evening.