Big Thief are true chameleonic sonic explorers who have never been drawn toward trends, but rather set them with their critically acclaimed songwriting and performing. Led by generationally talented songwriter Adrianne Lenker, and formed with fellow Berklee School of Music classmates Buck Meek, James Krivchenia, and former member Max Oleartchik, the band released their first album, Masterpiece, a bold statement of purpose, announcing the arrival of a truly great new American band. Across five increasingly critically acclaimed albums (the last four have been named “Best New Music” by Pitchfork, with some of the highest scores the website has given out) and five Grammy nominations, the band have grown into one of their generation’s most important and popular rock bands. This culminated in their most broad and adventurous work to date, 2022’s double album Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You, produced by the band’s own Krivchenia. 2023 and 2024 saw the band playing in front of its biggest audiences yet, including headlining the Pitchfork Music Festival and Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheater. 2024 also included the departure of longtime bassist Oleartchik, the band now a three-piece supplemented with new touring members Justin Felton (bass) and Jon Nellen (drums). This new formation only made the band more muscular and propulsive, with absolutely rave reviews from the likes of The Guardian and more. The band’s propensity for refining newly-written songs live in front of audiences makes them one of the most surprising live acts performing now. Setlists are as spontaneous and unpredictable as the band’s music, and where the band take their art next remains one of the most exciting questions in music.
