“So this job that I do, I’m pretty sure I was put here to do,” Steve Earle said to a packed house at the Troubadour on August 11. Who could argue?
Earle and The Dukes are on tour in support of their newest album, So You Wanna Be an Outlaw. Friday was the first of their two shows at the West Hollywood venue. And while one might imagine WeHo on a Friday night as a landscape of pure youth, this crowd was anything but. Booze flowed and it was highly doubtful that a single person born in the new millennium inhabited the showroom. This made sense, as Earle is a baby boomer — the genuine, in-touch hippie kind, of course. He wore hallmark counter culture fashion: jeans, a denim vest, and brown boots.
And though it is certain the audience held much respect for Earle, the night was like sitting with your older brother as he had a jam sesh and told some stories. He exhibited little ego and was generous with giving others attention on stage. It was a priority to introduce each band member. Specifically, Chris Masterson, of the supporting act “The Mastersons,” proved his commitment to putting on a good show by playing and grooving as hard as he could, even on the crowded stage. Often, Earle and company played right into the next song, which was necessary for the whopping 27-song setlist. However, when a story needed to be told, it was. Earle spoke to the crowd with such comfort that it was easy to forget he wasn’t your lifelong friend.
Highlights of the show included “Goodbye Michelangelo,” “Jerusalem,” and “City of Immigrants,” which were each accompanied by a prologue. The audience was treated to Earle’s memories of singer songwriters Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark and calm declarations about our immigrant-based society. “The most American word I can utter is immigration,” Earle said. He was met by resounding cheers, which was only right on a night that followed a week characterized by threat of nuclear war and violence due to racial intolerance.
Despite the songs that addressed heavier subjects, it was a night of joy. The crowd was delighted, as evident by their gentle head bobs and body sways. Earle’s trademark country-saturated rock made perfect for a night of singing along. The plethora of guitars that stood side-stage made of great use as the band and Earle constantly rotated instruments.
By night’s end, the Troubadour was toasty. One might expect a quick encore after nearly two hours, but Earle and his band closed out after three more songs: “Better Off Alone,” “Mississippi, It’s Time,” and “The Girl on the Mountain.” The final lyrics faded into cheers. Such gratefulness was met by a slight bow and prayered hands from Earle, which catapulted those still sitting in the balcony to their feet. The state of the world is questionable, but a night with Steve Earle and The Dukes made it seem like we’re all going to be alright.
Setlist
So You Wannabe an Outlaw
Lookin’ for a Woman
The Firebreak Line
Walkin’ in LA
Sunset Highway
News From Colorado
Guitar Town
I’m Still in Love With You
You’re the Best Lover That I Ever Had
Goodbye Michelangelo
Jerusalem
City of Immigrants
You Broke My Heart
The Galway Girl
Little Emperor
Acquainted With the Wind
Copperhead Road
Taneytown
Hard Core Troubadour
Transcendental Blues
The Week of Living Dangerously
If Mama Coulda Seen Me
Fixin’ to Die
Hey Joe
Encore:
Better Off Alone
Mississippi, It’s Time
The Girl on the Mountain
Photo Credit, Ted Barron
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