Jason Isbell, Grammy-winning guitarist and pride of Alabama, brought his band The 400 Unit to the closing day of the Savannah Music Festival to share his songs of hope and defiance. Isbell’s trademark blend of earnest and soulful lyrics and devil-may-care playing style allows him to take on any subject with a musical confidence that is both rare and a pleasure to behold. Whatever Isbell is giving listeners, it is instantly obvious that he truly believes his own message, and that type of honesty is very attractive.

Since bursting on the scene with The Drive-By Truckers, Isbell has built himself a rock-solid reputation as a singer-songwriter and a fiery guitarist that follows his own vision. Though Isbell clearly views his backing band with great trust and affection, he takes the majority of each song’s burden on his own back. This he does this without ego, and his singular sound gives each song an idiosyncratic bent that makes them stand out.

As part of the Savannah Music Festival’s first-ever closing event at the brand new Trustees’ Gardens in downtown Savannah, Isbell and company got to share the stage with a wonderful selection of Americana artists like the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Gillian Welch, Brett Dennen, and many more. Though he only had an hour, Isbell’s set was a fine sample of what is to come on his just-announced tour and a fine slice of music bliss for old fans and new alike. Check out our video highlights from Isbell’s set at the fest in the clips below!


Setlist: Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit | Savannah Music Festival | Savannah, GA | 4/14/2018

Set One: Anxiety, Hope The High Road, 24 Frames, White Man’s World, Decoration Day, Codeine, Molotov, Cumberland Gap, Tupelo, Last Of My Kind, Alabama Pines, Flying Over Water, Cover Me Up, If We Were Vampires