The relationship that fans have with Ryan Adams’ music tends not to be a casual one. It can take many forms, from those drawn to him with desperate affection, to the countless musicians who’ve modelled themselves after his songwriting. Similarly, it can spring from a variety of starting points, such as the abrupt romanticism of Heartbreaker, the Nashville sparkle of Gold, the quintessential singer/songwriter fare of Ashes & Fire and the slick arena stylings of last year’s Ryan Adams.
Tonight at the seemingly over-capacity Forum, we started with Gimme Something Good, the lead track from Adams’ most recent effort. It was the first of several tracks lifted from the new album and the song’s rocked-up positivity set the tone for what was to come.
Adams has a history of public crankiness, but in the last few years he’s become conspicuously relaxed. Tonight, there was no question the shaggy haired dude wearing a Misfits t-shirt – fronting a stage flanked by comically huge guitar amps and a couple of pinball machines – was having a fucking excellent time. And it was hard not to join him there.
The sound at The Forum was near flawless and Adams gained solid support from his backing band The Shining. They weren’t overly flashy, nor should they have been, but there was a palpable alliance between everyone on stage, which crucially lifted the overall experience.
The setlist roamed broadly through his 15-year solo career, ticking a lot of boxes without feeling like a best-of set. Among the set’s many highlights was a cover of Natalie Prass’ My Baby Don’t Understand Me and an impromptu rendition of Happy Birthday sungfor a crowd member. Support act Jenny Lewis returned to supply Emmylou Harris’ harmony parts on Oh My Sweet Carolina. It was achingly sweet, tickling the romantic side of even the most reticent onlookers.
The night ended with Come Pick Me Up; a clawing breakup song that’s lost none of its heartbreaking edge. Though, with Adams in such a good mood it felt less like a vicious attack and more a triumphant pledge to keep moving forward.
BY AUGUSTUS WELBY
Photo by Ian Laidlaw
Loved: Guitars. Lots of them.
Hated: Mondays.
Drank: Heavily.
