When the Sound Went Out, the Crowd Turned It Up: Big Thief at Surly Field

Big Thief had plenty of songs to get through on Saturday night, but one of the most memorable parts of the band's Minneapolis show wasn't planned.

Playing to a very large crowd at Surly Brewing Festival Field on August 15, Big Thief opened with “Cruel Beautiful World,” sung by Adrianne Lenker. The song immediately brought the crowd's attention toward the stage, with Lenker's voice setting a quiet and focused tone before the rest of the evening unfolded.

The Minneapolis show had a little extra meaning for Lenker, who grew up in Minnesota and spent part of her early musical life in the Twin Cities. During the show, she talked about how good it felt to be home, even though she hasn't lived in Minneapolis for some time. It was a simple comment, but it seemed to register with the crowd, many of whom clearly appreciated having Big Thief back in town.

The weather added another element to the night. Rain looked possible for much of the evening, with the sky threatening to open up, but it never did. Instead, the crowd got a mostly comfortable outdoor night to take in the show.

Big Thief moved through a set that balanced newer material with some of the songs that have become staples of the band's catalog. “Vampire Empire,” “Change,” and “Certainty” were among the highlights, giving the crowd plenty of opportunities to sing along while still leaving room for the band's more patient and atmospheric moments.

Then, during “Shark Smile,” the house sound suddenly disappeared.

The band didn't stop playing. Without the sound system carrying the music across the field, the musicians continued onstage while the crowd waited to see what would happen next. What could have easily become an awkward interruption instead turned into one of the night's most interesting moments.

The outage lasted somewhere around 10 to 15 minutes, but the audience stayed with the band. Rather than becoming restless, people cheered, shouted and remained focused on the stage as Big Thief continued playing. For a band whose music often depends on intimacy and subtlety, there was something fitting about watching the performance continue even when the technology temporarily failed.

Once the sound returned, the show picked back up and Big Thief finished strong. The band eventually closed the night with “Incomprehensible,” giving the crowd one final song before the lights came up.