
November 25th, 2024 – Adrianne Lenker, the driving force behind Brooklyn’s indie folk phenomenon Big Thief, brought her new solo masterpiece, Bright Future, to Philadelphia for two sold-out shows at Union Transfer on November 25 and 26. The venue was packed with fans of all ages: 20-somethings, families with young teens in tow, and couples both young and old.
The show opened with Suzanne Vallie, a singer-songwriter from Big Sur, California. Her soft, sweet voice and ballads, inspired by her coastal surroundings, perfectly complemented Adrianne’s performance. She charmed the audience with her humor and an impressive solo performance, proving she didn’t need a backing band to captivate the room.









Article by Syd Libby + Photos by Steve Cerf
When Adrianne walked onto the stage, cheers erupted from her devoted audience, only to fall into reverent silence moments later. The packed house fell still, with no phones in sight. The only sounds were the occasional sniffles of emotion-filled viewers. The stage was nearly dark, with just a few lights and a trio of lava lamps illuminating the three-person band.
Their sound filled the venue so completely that you would never believe it was only three people performing. The musicians were immensely talented: Adrianne on guitar, Josefin Runsteen on the violin, Nick Hakim on piano. The show was laid-back, and while visibility was limited in some areas, the sound carried beautifully throughout the building.
Lenker opened with “Real House,” the opening track from the brilliant Bright Future. The song encapsulates Adrianne’s soft vocals, the warmth of her guitar. It’s a truly emotional remembrance of the moment a child loses their innocence — a perfect opening for what was to come.
With a setlist of artfully crafted songs, her voice was full of power and elegance. Lenker’s performance also highlighted her skills as an amazing guitarist, incorporating classical components and sophisticated, intricate folk licks.

This will be Adrianne’s last show for the foreseeable future. She recounted the heartwarming feeling of hearing the audience sing back to her every night and the joy of knowing her songs hold a special place in their hearts. The show closed with her most popular song, “anything,” from her 2020 album Songs. It was a perfectly heartbreaking choice, leaving the audience visibly moved and emotionally drained as they exited the venue.
The show was exactly what you would expect from an Adrianne Lenker concert: complex yet perfectly executed guitar work, a folky, warm band dynamic, and her poetic, unique lyricism. She is a remarkable songwriter with far-reaching appeal. Her faithfulness to her music tells chronicles of real-life relationships and memories that grip the soul.