Big Thief stunned an intimate crowd of 2,400 fans at Nashville’s hallowed Ryman Auditorium by debuting a triple album titled Horsepower.
The Bottom Line
- The Surprise Reveal: Adrianne Lenker announced the triple album right at the start of the night, telling fans that any expectations of hearing old favorites could be discarded.
- Star-Studded Collaboration: The intimate, photography-banned event featured guest appearances by Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch, and Iris DeMent.
- The Expanding Sound: The 29-song tracklist brought to life material that has circulated in live sets for years, alongside the wider ensemble behind the recordings.
Inside the Ryman Auditorium Surprise
Adrianne Lenker wasted no time setting expectations straight as Big Thief took their seats around a large wooden table onstage at the Ryman Auditorium. “We have a special night for you,” Lenker told the 2,400-pack room, before adding the kicker: “If you had hopes of hearing songs you know, those can be discarded.” The band treated the room to an unreleased, 29-song album recorded during sessions in Nashville this past May.
While no official release details have been locked in by the band, the weekend residency in Nashville doubled as a live-filming event. Cameras rolled as the group ran through the entirety of Horsepower. It follows the group’s 2025 record Double Infinity, which marked their first release as a trio following the departure of bassist Max Oleartchik.
An All-Star Nashville Ensemble
Onstage at the Ryman, Big Thief was flanked by the musicians who helped construct the record in the studio. Pedal steel players Russ Pahl and Greg Leisz added rich atmospheric textures, while a fiddle section featuring Hannah Read, Richard Bowden, and Zosha Warpeha anchored the new material.
The night featured guest vocalists. Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch, and Iris DeMent all stepped up to join the collective onstage.
| Detail | Verified Record |
|---|---|
| Venue | Ryman Auditorium, Nashville |
| Capacity / Attendance | 2,400 fans |
| Format & Length | Triple album, 29-song set |
| Special Guests | Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch, Iris DeMent |
| Studio Collaborators | Russ Pahl, Greg Leisz, Hannah Read, Richard Bowden, Zosha Warpeha |
From Field Sessions to Hallowed Halls
Back in May, during a session in a field for Belgium’s Radio 1, the band debuted pieces like “Carry” and “Space and Time.”
Photo and video were prohibited inside the venue, though a setlist from the evening has since circulated. The complete run includes titles like “Baby Honey Sweetheart Darlin’,” “Casual Touch,” “Spatchcock Chickenshit Bingo,” and “Born For Loving You.”
What Comes Next for the Touring Cycle
Next month, Big Thief is scheduled to kick off another leg of North American tour dates supporting Double Infinity, culminating in a show at Denver’s Red Rocks on October 6. No release date has been announced for Horsepower.
The Nashville shows saw the band perform the album in full. Were you lucky enough to be in the room, or are you ready for this 29-song epic to hit streaming platforms?
