Fragile, Fierce, and Life-Affirming - Big Thief at Brixton Academy
- Dave Broome
- 10 minutes ago
- 3 min read
O2 Academy Brixton, London - 24th April 2026
IMAGES / WORDS DAVID BROOME
Few venues manage to feel as special as Brixton Academy. From the moment you spill out of the Underground and join the pilgrimage down Stockwell Road, there’s a sense that you’re heading to somewhere that matters. Originally a cinema, the building still carries a sense of grandeur, but it’s the Academy’s lived-in grit that gives it character. Inside, the iconic sloping floor is more than architectural quirk; it’s a great leveller. Wherever you stand, you’re pulled toward the stage, sightlines clear, the crowd compacted into a single, united entity.
I’m here for the second of four nights at the Academy for American indie giants, Big Thief. Fronted by Adrianne Lenker, Big Thief’s music is rooted in folk tradition but don’t be imagining Scarborough Fair to appear on the set list. Their sound is much edgier, much more distorted and if anything – much louder. Think more Arcade Fire and less Joni Mitchell.
Guitarist Buck Meek, bassist Max Oleartchik, and drummer James Krivchenia play with an almost psychic intuition. Unsurprising as the current line-up has been in place for over a decade. In fact, Meek and Lenker were married until 2018. Undeterred by the odd Lenker solo project, the band have maintained a constant musical output, the most recent of which is the highly accredited 2025 album, Double Infinity.
To kick things off we have singer/songwriter Dylan Meek. An artist of some repute himself. He wrote a track for the movie “Into the Spider-verse” which was nominated for a Grammy. He is the brother of guitarist Buck Meek and presents a unique sound throughout his set. There’s not many sing-a-long tracks and as I scan across the faces of the audience, there are a few quizzical looks. However, it’s an earnest, charming performance and he’s an ideal warm up act for the headliner.
As the stage was cleared of Meek’s gear, it was left looking a little bare, to the point of modesty. No grand visual cues, no theatrical centrepiece. So, what had to fill the stage was a passionate performance and a set of incredible songs. What followed over the next two hours was exactly that. Adrianne Lenker stood right of centre not as a frontperson in the traditional sense, but as a conduit. Her voice … oh my gosh her voice sounded both powerful and vulnerable at the same time.
Over the course of the show, her communication with the audience was measured and sparce. She came across shy but it just added to her aura and vulnerability. “Casual Touch” and “Certainty” get us under way and demonstrate the range, style and quality of Lenker’s voice. “Not” has that trademark gruff, detuned dirty guitar sound that gives Big Thief much of their “Indie” identity. “Terminal Paradise” is a Lenker solo song but also features on the 2019 Big Thief release U.F.O.F.
Hats off to the lighting crew tonight, the stage is lit up exquisitely. Lilacs, oranges and cream colours phasing in and out, not to create a spectacle as such but just to provide a beautiful backdrop for the music. “Mr Man” is a new track and has a powerful driving chord sequence throughout which provides the hook. “Mary” is a much more sombre affair and brings a reverence from the crowd. Mary, it turns out, is a real person and was Lenker’s first best friend. To lighten the mood, “Words” comes along with its upbeat, catchy strumming pattern and sunlit melody. A near 10-minute rendition of “No Fear” with all its pomp, noise and feedback ends the first set.
Adrianne Lenker comes back on stage and sadly it’s approaching the 11pm strict Brixton curfew so she announces, “We are only going to play one more song”. There’s an audible moan from the audience as she invites Laraaji and Dylan Meek back on stage to play “Spud Infinity”.
Big Thief is the kind of band who get people through tough times in their life. So, for many, this was a life affirming moment and, for me, being here was a real privilege. Big Thief are a must see band, so if you haven’t yet, I suggest you do … soon!
SET LIST
1. Casual Touch
2. Certainty
3. Masterpiece (with Dylan Meek)
4. Not
5. Pterodactyl
6. Terrifying (>)
7. terminal paradise (Adrianne Lenker song)
8. Real House (Adrianne Lenker song) (>)
9. Christmas Day
10. Mr. Man
11. Mary
12. Where Will We Go (with Laraaji)
13. Words (with Laraaji)
14. No Fear (with Laraaji)
15. Spud Infinity
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