Following critical acclaim for sophomore release Capacity, Brooklyn’s Big Thief are once more on European shores and tonight they play a sold out show to 800 fans at Islington Assembly Hall. 

When I caught Big Thief in February, they seemed destined for a bigger stage. They were then housed by The Lexington, and a capacity of 200, but a growing fan base and critical acclaim for Capacity, has seen them since announce a show at London’s Koko (capacity of 1,500) for April 5th 2018. 

Tonight they perform as a trio. This is as guitarist and co-founder Buck Meek is absent while he focuses on an upcoming solo record. 

Overall, he is missed. As Adrienne Lenker’s main collaborator in song-writing, his influence upon the band’s sound and confidence as a live outfit is huge. Big Thief are often refrained on stage, and it is part of their charm. However they seem to have closed off from the audience while they venture into these uncharted waters.

“Where’s Buck?” someone calls from the crowd, prompting a strange response from the usually shy Lenker. She literally screams with frustration, explaining that they have been asked that question every night of the tour so far. She tells the heckler that she doesn’t want to talk about it through a microphone, but said she will explain in person if they care to contact her, or find her after the show. 

Her frustration is understandable, because their live show is still something special – it’s just different. Her palpable irritation leaves the room with an eerie vibe, like a classroom in the seconds following a teacher snapping. “We love you!” someone from the crowd awkwardly responds in turn.

Musically, without some of the oomph afford by Buck Meek’s guitar, the band are considerably more minimal. There’s a haunting quality to this and it is not without its merits as Lenker’s voice echoes softly around the Hall. Lenker truly is exceptionally talented and packs a voice that can stir a crowded hall even at a whisper. Her voice oozes a natural sincerity and is crystal clear during delicate renditions of ‘Mary’ and ‘Paul’. While James Krivchenia’s pounding drums roll under Lenker’s moody guitar and help bring stand out tracks ‘Shark Smile’ and ‘Mythological Beauty’ to life. 

Closing the show, Lenker is hugely thankful to her burgeoning crowd, and calls this a “transition” period. Presumably referring to the absence of Buck, there is a change in the air, and if Buck is not to return, it may need a reshaping of their live act taking to the stage of larger venues that their quality deserves.

In their first of two sold out London shows at The Lexington, Big Thief brought their fantastic debut album Masterpiece to life, and grabbed the opportunity to air new material in an impressive signal of what’s to come.

Before Big Thief’s headline slot, support came from the bizarre and dazzling Mega Bog. Frontwoman Erin Birgy sits between Laura Marling and Regina Spektor in terms of style, and does so with ease. Backed by complicated synths, jazz-infused licks and even gorgeous wind chimes, her wispy voice and meandering stories nestle perfectly to pack a much firmer punch than you’d first expect.

It was a tough act to follow, and appearing on stage, Adrianne Lenker & Co. of Big Thief described themselves as “overwhelmed… in a good way”, and this was palpable throughout as they flitted between Lenker meticulously delivering acoustic-folk numbers with great care, to the band driving full-throttle into rock and roll tracks such as ‘Real Love’ and ‘Masterpiece’. The contrast was stark and a delight which kept the crowd captivated throughout. 

Between each song, the sound technician was asked to make tweaks, or they’d have to pause to retune, making clear the fluctuation in the style of the tracks they were playing, and the perfection they were trying to achieve. This was no surprise from what is a noticeably tight group of musicians, though almost all attention is absorbed by Lenker. With moments of delicacy her voice leaves the audience spellbound, only to suddenly change gear, effortlessly belting notes that must have even caused a stir in the bar downstairs. 

It’s possibly hackneyed to say, but even in the heavier songs, Lenker’s powerhouse of a voice, pierced through the jarring guitar riffs and rhythm section, like a lighthouse across stormy seas; it seems to tie it all together and bring order to moments of chaos. Lenker has previously discussed the confidence that her band affords her, saying, “these guys feel like a pack of wolves at my back. They make the songs howl and bark with a fierce tenderness that gives me courage.” This was particularly clear in the new tracks which hinge on this growing confidence. 

Both Mega Bog and Big Thief are brilliantly innovative bands and ones with plenty more to offer. You can expect them to be staples of the festival scene for years to come, as they sell out even larger shows and belt out even stronger vocals.