Lucinda Williams Takes on a World Out of Balance with Unyielding Resolve
At 73, Lucinda Williams commands the stage with authority, her voice now burnished from life's experiences and her music imbued with urgency. Her sold-out show at Belfast's Limelight is a testament to her enduring influence as an Americana legend, despite the challenges posed by a recent stroke that left her with lingering effects.
The setlist, drawn from her latest 16th album World's Gone Wrong, delivers a powerful mix of protest and introspection, with Williams tackling pressing issues like economic strain, racial injustice, and the concentration of power. The music is characterised by its slow-burning intensity, punctuated by moments of raw emotion and vulnerability.
A highlight comes from Right in Time, where Williams crafts an intimate exploration of everyday life, using sensory details to convey a sense of charged connection. Car Wheels on a Gravel Road showcases her ability to distill complex emotions into simplicity, while You Can't Rule Me is a scorching delta boogie that never falters.
The evening's closer, a cover of Neil Young's Rockin' in the Free World, is met with a rapturous response from the audience, who forgive Williams for her temporary lapse of geography and join in a deafening sing-along. Through her music, Lucinda Williams demonstrates she remains a vital voice in the fight against an increasingly unbalanced world, her words and melodies urging us to reclaim our power and take action.
At 73, Lucinda Williams commands the stage with authority, her voice now burnished from life's experiences and her music imbued with urgency. Her sold-out show at Belfast's Limelight is a testament to her enduring influence as an Americana legend, despite the challenges posed by a recent stroke that left her with lingering effects.
The setlist, drawn from her latest 16th album World's Gone Wrong, delivers a powerful mix of protest and introspection, with Williams tackling pressing issues like economic strain, racial injustice, and the concentration of power. The music is characterised by its slow-burning intensity, punctuated by moments of raw emotion and vulnerability.
A highlight comes from Right in Time, where Williams crafts an intimate exploration of everyday life, using sensory details to convey a sense of charged connection. Car Wheels on a Gravel Road showcases her ability to distill complex emotions into simplicity, while You Can't Rule Me is a scorching delta boogie that never falters.
The evening's closer, a cover of Neil Young's Rockin' in the Free World, is met with a rapturous response from the audience, who forgive Williams for her temporary lapse of geography and join in a deafening sing-along. Through her music, Lucinda Williams demonstrates she remains a vital voice in the fight against an increasingly unbalanced world, her words and melodies urging us to reclaim our power and take action.