Waxahatchee and MJ Lenderman played Brooklyn Paramount

 

The dynamic duo of Waxahatchee and MJ Lenderman played Brooklyn Paramount, bringing the hits and more to a sold-out crowd.

I've said it before and I won't hold back, a super duo isn't always what you expect and doesn't always live up to the hype. Katie Crutchfield (aka Waxahatchee) and MJ Lenderman buck the trend, however, and bring their alt-country hits to the stage with maximal appeal. On record and on stage, they come together, igniting harmonies and bring out the best in each other, song for song they make each moment one for the memories. MJ opening the night with "Manning Fireworks" set the tone, the ease and comfortability of the night evident from the start, his slight droll also marking the lackadaisical approach to the evening, even with the excitement from those in the crowd at a fever pitch. Alternating between each other's tunes, it was a real shared experience and one never stole the attention from the other. Backed with some extra hands on keys, pedal guitar, and other little accents, the night really belonged to the duo and nothing would steal the spotlight from their bright, gentle tunes. Voices husked in gold tones, there was never a flaw, each of them carrying the weight of the music with such esteem and passion, but you could also see the joy they got from playing back up to the other as well. Katy brimmed with a radiant glow as MJ hit us with "Rip Torn" and "TLC Cage Match" and he smirked with pride when she beamed in "Can't Do Much" and "Crowbar." She dug back into the Plains catalogue as well for "Line of Sight," another beauty that lit up the whole room. They remained seated for the entirety of the show and gave us such intimate versions of their biggest hits, making the whole night feel special and like an inside glimpse into each of their songs origins before making their way to full-band barnstormers. Crutchfield's backing vocals on "She's Leaving You" pushed the song to new heights and Lenderman returned the favor on Tigers Blood b-side "Much Ado About Nothing," a song that now feels just as much a staple in Waxahatchee's catalogue as many of her other tunes. Weaving back and forth, the two were locked in a tight groove for the entirety of the night and you could really tell how natural and relaxed the two felt on stage with each other, like these new versions of the songs could be their real identities and the proper way to hear each of the songs. Sure, enhanced by a raging band can also highlight certain flourishes, but these paired down versions were total highlights, to the point where you'd hope they release a live album from this tour. Closing out the main set, the two hit cruise control for "Right Back to It," perhaps the song that ignited the idea for this whole thing, and the whole room began to sparkle with elation. The mood boost that took over the crowd was incendiary and really put a magical final touch on the night. These two are generational talents, each bringing something unique to the table with their blend of country, americana, and alt-folk that touches on tradition while still finding something new to say. Two singer-songwriters at the top of their games coming together to revitalize their best songs with a new light felt like witnessing something truly special and will without question remain one of the highlights of the year.

Set list:

01 "Manning Fireworks"
02 "Evil Spawn"
03 "Joker Lips"
04 "Can't Do Much"
05 "Rip Torn"
06 "Line of Sight"
07 "Brawson's"
08 "Lilacs"
09 "TLC Cage Match"
10 "Burns Out at Midnight"
11 "Under Control"
12 "The Wolves"
13 "You Don't Know the Shape I'm In"
14 "Crowbar"
15 "She's Leaving You"
16 "Much Ado About Nothing"
17 "Love Streams"
18 "Wrecking Ball"
19 "Catholic Priest"

20 "Tigers Blood"
21 "Wristwatch"

22 "Right Back to It"

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23 "My Life" [Iris DeMent cover]
24 "Abandoned" [Lucinda Williams cover]
25 "All the Right Reasons" [The Jayhawks cover]
26 "Six O'Clock News" [