REVIEW: Jenny Lewis w/ Hayden Pedigo & Logan Ledger | 3.13.24 @ The Ryman Auditorium [PHOTOS]

Jenny Lewis
w/ Hayden Pedigo, Logan Ledger
The Ryman Auditorium; Nashville, TN
March 13, 2024

Review by Hannah Laney with additional editorial by Philip Obenschain. Photos by Hannah Laney.

Capping off the latest leg of her Joy’All Ball Tour, in support of last year’s joyful and breezy new album of the same name, Joy’All, Nashville transplant Jenny Lewis recently returned to The Ryman Auditorium– a spot where she’s played some very memorable shows over the years- for a spectacular show with avant-garde Texas troubadour Hayden Pedigo and local country traditionalist Logan Ledger. With her magical set design and extremely talented band, plus some very special (if unsurprising) guests, Lewis proved once again when she’s remained one of indie rock’s most beloved and enduring artists since first springing onto the scene with her former band Rilo Kiley in the late ’90s. Though she’s treated Nashville to several shows this record cycle- including a release show at Eastside Bowl, a long-overdue return to Bonnaroo, and a supporting set at Ascend Amphitheater with Ruston Kelly all in the same two-week span last June- The Ryman always feels like an extra special spot to see Jenny live. Read on for our review and photos of yet another unforgettable performance from one of Nashville’s greatest artists!

Local musician Logan Ledger was the first opener of the evening, his smooth voice filling the entirety of the venue. Backed by a sizable band of talented players, Ledger’s twangy, classic country and bluegrass stylings of course felt round at home on the legendary Ryman stage, and it was obvious why he’s attracted so much buzz with his latest album, Golden State. Like Lewis, Ledger grew up in California, and that west coast wistfulness definitely permeates through his sound, and makes him a natural compliment to Jenny and a great choice to set the tone for the evening.

Hayden Pedigo, who’s supported Jenny on this whole tour, went on right before her set. In contrast to Ledger, Pedigo performed alone, seated, just himself and a couple of guitars, but his enchanting, avant-garde, instrumental style was enough to speak for itself. It was refreshing and brought a brilliant energy to the room, and was yet another complimentary- if distinct- vibe with the evening’s headliner. Performing a handful of cuts from last year’s The Happiest Times I Ever Ignored and from other records like 2021’s Letting Go, Hayden’s ambient, lush, and Americana-tinged sound reverberated extra lovely in the Mother Church.

After a short changeover, Lewis and her band emerged, along with special guests and Rabbit Fur Coat collaborators The Watson Twins who, though not present at every Nashville show Jenny plays, are a pretty safe bet at many of them, particular Ryman shows, as they also reside in Music City. While they made an appearance during the encore of her 2019 Ryman show in support of that year’s On the Line, Lewis last formally played the Mother Church with the Watsons in 2016, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Rabbit Fur Coat, and it was at that show that musical icon Jimmy Buffett joined her for their rendition of “Handle With Care” by the Traveling Wilburys. This time around, Lewis made sure to honor her late friend by telling the story of what he had said backstage: “remember to enjoy it.” 

Joy’All provides a whimsical look into the creative mind of the woman behind the music, and live the songs sound even more confessional and earnest. Though, with The Watson Twins behind her providing their amazing backup vocals, Jenny began the performance with Rabbit Fur Coat track “The Big Guns,” they stayed for a single from her latest, “Psychos,” adding even more harmonic dimension to an already incredibly catchy tune. Dressed in a leather jumpsuit with her signature red shag haircut, and backed by a talented band made of many familiar local faces, Jenny bounced along the stage singing numbers from all five of her solo records, but pulling the most from Joy’All, On the Line, and, special for this evening’s set because of the The Watsons, Rabbit Fur Coat.

After some favorites like “She’s Not Me,” “Heads Gonna Roll,” and Joy’All‘s title track as well as vibey single “Cherry Baby,” The Watson Twins returned to the stage for several more songs from their collaborative LP, and stayed on for “The Next Messiah,” from Acid Tongue. Then, after another great block of songs which included singles like “Red Bully & Hennessy,” “Puppy and a Track,” a cover of Girls’ “Lust for Life,” which has been apart of Jenny’s set for awhile, Lewis and co. concluded the main performance with twangy Acid Tongue fave “See Fernando,” leaving things on an energetic and revelatory tone. The crowd- clearly featuring plenty of friends and peers from her adopted hometown- were enthusiastic and respectful throughout the intimate show, and after a short break of loud cheers, Jenny and the band returned once more, joined by openers Hayden Pedigo and Logan Ledger, to perform Rilo Kiley classic “Silver Lining.”

The encore continued with “Just One of the Guys,” now a decade old from Jenny’s modern-classic The Voyager, and Joy’All‘s “Love Feel,” before, again joined by The Watsons and Ledger, the encore came to a close with fan-favorite “Acid Tongue,” a song which always feels extra resonant on The Ryman Stage. At one point in the night, Lewis had paused after performing a song from Joy’All, and told the story of how she had been sitting in the Publix parking on Gallatin when inspiration had struck. It’s moments like those that make truly realize just how many talented artists reside in this wonderful city, and how many of them shared this stage at this show alone. All in all, it was a joyous evening in downtown Nashville, and a perfect way to experience Jenny Lewis’ wonderful new music.

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Setlist:

The Big Guns
Psychos
Do Si Do
She’s Not Me
Joy’all
Heads Gonna Roll
Wasted Youth
Cherry Baby
Rise Up With Fists!!
You Are What You Love
Melt Your Heart
The Next Messiah
Red Bull & Hennessy
Chain of Tears
Lust for Life
Puppy and a Truck
See Fernando

Silver Lining
Just One of the Guys
Love Feel
Acid Tongue