Gregory Alan Isakov Embodies Indie-Folk At Brooklyn Steel
Written for NYS Music
Photography by Emma Dowd
On the Friday evening of January 27th, Brooklyn Steel hosted a heavenly evening with Gregory Alan Isakov. A sold out crowd strewn in through the doors, waiting patiently at the base of the stage for the show to begin. Gregory and his band have been touring consistently for the past year, though their solo trek began at the start of January. Fans stood shoulder to shoulder, faces illuminated with the anticipation live music ensues. When the velvety lighting dimmed and the smoke poured over the stage, the soft murmurs vibrating throughout the crowd simultaneously hushed into a hungry silence.
Isakov has been making music since 2005, and his sound remains remarkably particular. He was born in South Africa and moved to the United States at a young age, so his music holds space for a little bit of everywhere. Gregory’s fans are able to depend on him and the band to deliver consistent words of universal consolation and epiphanic life perspectives. His latest release was a single cover of The Lumineers‘ “Salt And The Sea,” in 2021, so his show was set up to be a tasteful selection of his songs from the past decade or so.
The band members made their way onto the stage to introduce their instruments slowly one at a time until their sounds melded together into song. The violin, the cello, the drums, the guitar, the ukulele, the banjo, the piano, and other complimentary instruments made their appearance throughout the evening, emulating the skeletal archetype of folk music. When Gregory Alan Isakov himself materialized from the smoke, he sang into their first song of the night, “Southern Star.” Isakov’s songs are long works of spoken poetry made to be heard aloud in acoustically sound warehouses like Brooklyn Steel. Each pluck, each percussion, each riff had the respected time to be consumed and digested.
The band members made their way onto the stage to introduce their instruments slowly one at a time until their sounds melded together into song. The violin, the cello, the drums, the guitar, the ukulele, the banjo, the piano, and other complimentary instruments made their appearance throughout the evening, emulating the skeletal archetype of folk music. When Gregory Alan Isakov himself materialized from the smoke, he sang into their first song of the night, “Southern Star.” Isakov’s songs are long works of spoken poetry made to be heard aloud in acoustically sound warehouses like Brooklyn Steel. Each pluck, each percussion, each riff had the respected time to be consumed and digested.
Gregory spoke to the crowd intimately about his songs, his experiences with songwriting, and live performances. Each song came with a story, and a dose of gratitude for their origins. The band emanated from Colorado, which Gregory paid ode to when he exclaimed “this one has a bit of Colorado in it,” when referencing the song “San Luis.” The rest of the fifteen song setlist flowed brilliantly with musicality and words of appreciation from Isakov. Smiling out to the crowd he rhetorically asked, “How lucky am I to do this?”
Fans of Gregory’s music held a poetic stoicism to them. With their respect for esteemed lyricism and intentional instrumentals, the crowd devoted their attention to every filament of sound that came from the stage. The storytelling lore of folk music and the communal effect it curates laid the foundation for a silent conversation between Gregory Alan Isakov and the regardful audience.
In Between concluding songs, Isakov announced that he and his band have a new record coming out. He did not specify the release date, but the news landed excitedly as cheers ricocheted off the steel walls. Without a ‘goodbye,’ Gregory and the band left the stage, and the crowd didn’t let up until they reappeared. For their first encore, they sang “Dandelion Wine” and “Saint Valentine.” Huddled around the microphone, the band played the songs acoustically. A multitude of laboring instruments like the tambourine, the spoons, and the harmonica made an appearance. These songs seemed to be a couple of the band’s favorites to play, for their high energy was infectious.
Waving to the crowd, Gregory and the band left once again. With a dimly lit waiting period, the crowd’s murmur resurrected in a ponderous curiosity as they wondered if the show would go on. At last, the stage lit up for the final encore. The band gave the crowd one last song, “All Shades of Blue,” with such tangible appreciation for the night everyone in the room had just shared. When the song finished, the band took their bows and thanked New York City for being an unmatched host and embracing their music with artful openness.
Setlist: Southern Star, Dark, Dark, Dark, San Luis, Master & a Hound, This Empty Northern Hemisphere, Chemicals, Liars, She Always Takes It Back, Virginia May, Amsterdam, The Stable Song, Appaloosa Bones, Big Black Car, Second Chances, Caves
Encore (1): Dandelion Wine (acoustic, full band), Saint Valentine (acoustic, full band)
Encore (2): All Shades of Blue (acoustic, full band)
