Live Review: Jason Isbell at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, 3/29/25

Jason Isbell’s multifaceted life is well documented. He joined the Drive-By Truckers at the age of 22 and recorded three studio albums with the band before leaving amicably after six years. During this time, a much younger Isbell struggled with alcohol and drug use, and he has since admitted that he has little memory of those years. Following an intervention by friends in 2012, he entered a rehabilitation center and got sober. Shortly thereafter, he released the critically and commercially successful album Southeastern, and his career trajectory has only continued to rise since then.

After numerous recordings and countless awards, Isbell has released Foxes in the Snow, his fourth solo outing since 2007’s Sirens of the Ditch. The album documents a man starting over, closing one chapter and beginning another. He is an artist on the precipice of something more than fame. The man’s had a rough couple of years, mainly caused by the dissolution of his 10-year marriage to Amanda Shires. Given that many of his songs have been inspired by or about her, one might wonder how he can still perform those lyrics.

“It’s a joy to be playing here again. Thank you,” Isbell said, reminiscing about his father driving the family from Alabama to see the Braves at the old Fulton County Stadium when he was a child, always finding the farthest parking spot to save money. “I know these streets well,” he joked. “We’d have to walk seven miles to get to the game. My dad got tickets when they played the Padres, so it was cheap.” He fondly remembered the oversized Igloo cooler they would carry, filled with cold cuts and drinks, allowing them to spend nothing on food during those trips. He even recalled the Holiday Inn on Powers Ferry Road where they would stay.

The evening began with “Bury Me,” a song about death but also about rebirth – an ode to the harshness of winter giving way to the new life of spring. The new songs traverse the complexities of the past and the future. The heart-wrenchingly beautiful “Gravelweed” tells the story of being saved by another, only to realize one can thrive independently: “I was a gravelweed and I needed you to raise me / I’m sorry the day came when I felt like I was raised / And now that I live to see my melodies betray me / I’m sorry the love songs all mean different things today.” Another poignant love song is “If We Were Vampires,” a hit from Isbell and his band, the 400 Unit, featured on their 2017 album The Nashville Sound. When Isbell and Shires sang, “It’s knowing that this can’t go on forever / Likely one of us will have to spend some days alone,” it conveyed a commitment that has since shifted to reflect the end of their relationship. (“But one day I’ll be gone / Or one day you’ll be gone.”)

On “Good While it Lasted,” Isbell sings, “You’re like sleep, I can’t get near enough / And I pretend that I don’t need you when I’m out doing stuff.” Listeners may wonder whether this refers to his marriage to Shires or something else; regardless, he seeks to express gratitude for the experience. As Isbell sat playing various acoustic guitars, it became obvious this was an intensely intimate and personal night with the artist, each fan clearly feeling a connection with the singer. His voice was strong and clear, his guitar playing expert.

Throughout the show, Isbell performed nearly all of Foxes, along with several songs from his 400 Unit albums and previous solo projects. The concert was full of highlights, making it difficult to choose favorites. “Alabama Pines,” “Elephant,” and the iconic Drive-By Truckers song “Danko/Manuel” were standout moments. The encore featured three songs, starting with “Ride to Robert’s,” a nod to Robert’s Western World, the last true honky-tonk in Nashville. Next was the classic “Pancho & Lefty” by Townes Van Zandt, which was an audience favorite.

Isbell closed the show with “True Believer,” a song clearly about love: old, new, and other. “So when we pass on the highway, I’ll smile and I’ll wave / And I’ll always be a true believer, babe.” Notably absent was his signature song “Cover Me Up,” but it hardly detracted from the evening, as a fresh collection of classics is now redefined in his evolving style. Isbell is clearly at the peak of his artistry, and it’s exciting to speculate just how much more he may achieve.

For tour information, visit Isbell’s webpage. Buy Foxes in the Snow through Bandcamp.

#supportmusicians #livemusicrules