On a balmy June evening at the storied Newport Music Hall in Columbus, Ohio, fans gathered to witness the incomparable Jenny Lewis.
The hottest and most humid day Columbus has experienced this year was right in the middle of an eight-day excessive heat advisory. The Newport Music Hall is not an air-conditioned concert hall. Two industrial floor ACs stood at each end of the stage with a 10-inch hose leading to the emergency exits to pump out the hot air for tonight’s show. The staff were even passing out free bottles of water to the crowd to minimize any injuries due to the heat.
The cool demeanor of Dean Johnson gave some respite from the heat. Much like Vance Joy, he is a terrific songwriter who leaves little to the imagination during his stage performance. He has a unique and simple way of addressing the audience that you might at first think is part of the show but eases into the refreshingly honest moments where he explains each song before it is performed. “We’re going to depart from the heartbreak songs with this next one. It is about going to heaven and then in about 1000 years, wishing you could get out of heaven. In a big way, it suggests that eternal life is hell.”
He was gracious and thanked everyone for coming out early to check him out despite the heat.
Unfortunately, when Jenny Lewis took the stage, the entire venue got a lot hotter. Known for her poignant songwriting and eclectic musical style, Jenny Lewis delivered a performance that captivated young and old. As the lights dimmed and the first chords of “The Big Guns” reverberated through the hall, the audience was drawn into Lewis’s world. A few fan favorites were missing but the setlist was a journey of Lewis’s artistic evolution since the start of her solo career after her departure from Rilo Kiley, over ten years ago.Throughout the performance, Lewis’s talented band provided impeccable support, elevating her songs with their skillful instrumentation. The ensemble’s chemistry made the entire show feel like a dynamic, collaborative effort. Lewis’s connection with the audience was clear too. During her performance, Lewis made eye contact with several people in the crowd as if reconnecting with old friends. Between songs, she engaged the crowd with a warmth and candor that further endeared her to the fans. She shared personal anecdotes and the stories behind her songs, creating a sense of connection and intimacy that is often lost in larger venues. Her banter was light-hearted and genuine, providing a perfect counterbalance to the more serious themes explored in her music. Her warmth and humility only added to the evening’s magic, creating a sense of communal celebration among the devotees gathered at the historic Newport Music Hall.
As the night drew to a close, Lewis left the audience with her classic “Acid Tongue,” with her raw and unfiltered vocals soaring through the historic venue. The simplicity of the arrangement allowed the lyrical depth of the song to shine, creating a moment of reverence among the audience. It was a fitting conclusion to an unforgettable evening.
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