Isbell and the 400 U brought so much fire that I fainted!
by A Brown on 4/2/24Tabernacle - AtlantaSaw Isbell and the 400 Unit at the Tabernacle on Saturday night. We were about 6 rows back. He and the crew were on FIYAH! So much so that I fainted. I mean, it was pretty hot down there in that standing room only mix. Disclaimer-I also have 3 bulging discs and my left leg was going numb (here's your sign that you might be too old to be in a standing pit type situation). I told my husband to get me out of there and quick because I thought I was going to faint. When we got out of the main room I told the security guard that I needed to sit down and she pointed to an area upstairs. Down I went before I could make it up the stairs. The medic crew took me to the back and gave me water and an ice pack for my neck. I could no longer see the show but I could feel it, and even in a medic room, the energy and synergy were electric. It is very telling when you can still enjoy a show in a medic room. This is the same way I have always felt about Willie Nelson. I don't have to see him, and even at his concerts I have purposefully closed my eyes and listened to his guitar telling me stories. Kudos to the medic crew for being so kind, nice, and accommodating to this 52 year old concert going dinosaur. It is nice to know that a crew like that is there should the need come. I kept telling my husband to go enjoy the show but he wouldn't leave my side. Isbell's new choppers don't affect his vocals (praise the Lord-they always said that Freddie Mercury didn't alter his teeth because he was afraid that it would affect his vocals) and they are about as bright and shiny as the jewels dangling from his pants. I don't know how he has done it but Isbell has turned himself into a stronger, leaner, and more invigorating version of himself. We counted that this was about our 10th show. The whole crew was volcanic in the best kind of way (maybe that explains the heat). I miss Jimbo (JIMBO), however, Anna brings her own sumpthin' sumpthin' to the stage and it is welcomed. No goodbye to you Jimbo, just see ya later (hopefully in seats). The last song I heard on the floor (which was pretty early on) was "King of Oklahoma". I wish like heck I had taken a picture (or at least recorded) Isbell's face when he sings "coffee"because that face alone tells a story but I know how funny he is about pulling out your phone during a show so I didn't but I sure wish that I had. The first time I heard Isbell and the 400 Unit was live (for real) and it was in Montgomery and we were in balcony seats. When they played "Elephant"I had tears running down my face. I have never had a reaction like that at a concert, nor have I ever fainted. Here's looking at you Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. "Could it be the satisfaction of being understood When the people really love you and let you know when it's good" I tip my hat. It is better than good. The venue was super cool, gothic carnival orchestra kind of cool. I would go again (in seats). Ha!