Jason Isbell at The Astro Review and Thursday Night Shows

Jason Isbell-The Astro-La Vista-May 1st, 2024

For the second straight year, we got the warm-up show for Jason Isbell before his sold-out show at Red Rocks in Colorado. There hadn’t been any dates for a couple weeks prior, and guitarist Sadler Vaden was said to have flown in early that morning. Even though Isbell and Amanda Shires, who frequently played in his band, are no longer married, there was a thought that maybe she would show up like she did last year. Shires is listed as playing on the Colorado shows. So, this ended up being my first Shires-less show from Isbell in many years. There definitely was a different vibe and a layer missing, but in its place, it was more of a rock show with incredible playing between Isbell and Vaden. New to the band since the show last May are bassist Anna Butterss and also Will Johnson from Centro-Matic and Monsters of Folk on guitar and as a second drummer on stage. 

Also, since the last show, he released the Weathervanes album, and even though he played songs from that at The Orpheum, this is the first time he has played here since we have absorbed those songs. It’s interesting because this far into many artists careers, the audience is not usually waiting for new songs, but two of the highlights of the night were “King of Oklahoma,” with scorching guitar work between Vaden and Isbell, and one of the show closers, the somber “Cast Iron Skillet." When he closed with “Cast Iron Skillet” at the show last year, it was evident that this would be one of the focus points of the show going forward.

The set list was heavy on favorites, including a handful of songs from Southeastern, which celebrated ten years last year, and Isbell mentioned that a couple of times. Another highlight was a version of “Elephant” with just him and keyboard player Derry deBorja. Even though he has covered it before in shows, a big surprise was a rocked-up version of The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven.”.

The show was originally supposed to be in the amphitheater portion of the venue but was moved inside due to weather. People filled in all of the available space in The Astro for the sold-out show, and for much of the evening, most of the seated audience on the floor ended up standing, and it felt like an actual rock show in the venue. Jason was light on the stage banter but stated a couple times how much he liked the venue, saying, “This place is good; we’ll come back and play again.” There does seem to be a Red Rocks show every year.

Here are tonight’s shows. The highlight is the return of legendary Omaha band Ritual Device who will be doing two nights at Reverb before performing at Lincoln Calling this weekend. Tim McMahon did a deep dive into the band HERE at Lazy-I.

Thursday May 2nd

Jimmy Little at Copacabana 9PM (Omaha)

Hanging Cowboys at The Zoo Bar 6PM (Lincoln)

Ritual Device with Nowhere and Pagan Athletes at Reverb Lounge 8PM (Omaha)

Korpiklaani with Visions of Atlantis, Illumishade and Fallen Reign at Bourbon Theater 6PM (Lincoln)

Kevin Lloyd’s B3 Jam at B. Bar 8PM (Omaha)

Matt Cox at Zipline Tap & Grill 6PM (Lincoln)

Brat, Bonginator, Pulse, Hollow Citizens at The Swamp 8PM (Lincoln)

Holland Andrews at Live at Low End at Bemis Center 8PM (Omaha)

Soul Sessions featuring Big Wade and Black Swan Theory and Jay Boi Robinson at Benson Theater 7PM (Omaha)

Dan Reynolds at Vino Mas 6:30 PM (Omaha)

Brother East, Brother West at The Drinkery 7PM (Omaha)

Artists Anonymous Open Mic at Beach House Bar 9:30PM (Omaha)

Wicked Fun at East of Omaha 5PM (Griswold, IA)

Jazz Night at The Tavern 8PM (Omaha)