Folk musician Gregory Alan Isakovperformed a 90-minute set including a yet-to-be-released song off an upcoming album in front of a lively audience at Liberty Hall Wednesday night. Lawrence was the first stop on Isakovs tour to promote his 2016 album Gregory Alan Isakov with the Colorado Symphony." The album is a collection of songs from Isakovs previous five albums, but reimagined with the accompaniment of a full orchestra.

Opening musician Sera Cahoone started the show with a brief set of fun, thoughtful American roots songs about love and the Colorado landscape. Cahoone and her violinist told the audience that theyd misplaced the money made from merchandise sales.

They werent kidding.

I feel like were going to find it because you guys bring a good energy, Cahoone said.

A constant chatter came from the audience for most of Cahoones set mostly from the bar area but the conversation wasnt rude or apathetic. Cahoone and Isakovs music created a relaxing, no-rules atmosphere.

At the beginning of the night, the line for the show was out the door at the scheduled 8 p.m. start time, with the performances running late. Free State High School seniors Mariah Houston and Kahler Weibe attended the show together at Wiebes request, who has been listening to Isakovs music for years. She said when she found out Isakov was coming to town, she immediately made plans to attend.

I was like, I am going to this concert, Wiebe said.

Houston, who plays the French horn in the Free State High School marching band, said she was looking forward to seeing Isakovs numerous instrumentalists perform.

After Cahoone's performance, Isakov came out alone, holding his guitar on a stage decorated with lamps painted to look like globes. The rest of his band joined him after the first song. Five musicians, each of whom played multiple instruments throughout the night, enthusiastically accompanied Isakovs songs. The violinist danced around stage during the more upbeat numbers, leaning over to jam with the guitarist or play along with the drummer.

The lights were turned completely off when Isakov played Big Black Car, off of his 2009 album This Empty Northern Hemisphere.The songs somber tone is much like most of Isakovs other music. He apologized to the audience for writing such sad music.

I realized recently that we dont have any happy songs, Isakov said.

Despite a slower tempo, the audience loved Isakov. The applause was thunderous after he played the final notes of Saint Valentine.

Isakovs band went on and off stage during the concert, leaving the frontman alone for a few tracks in the middle of the set. Theyd return and form an arc around Isakov, huddling and singing backup, as if they were a band of old musicians in the Appalachian Mountains.

Its like barbershop mixed with, Where are these guys from anyway? Isakov joked.

Isakov was warm and charming to the crowd. He felt comfortable enough to debut a song from an as yet unannounced seventh album.

He issued a disclaimer, saying that the song might not ever be performed again if the audience didnt like it.

They all deserve the chance to be played once before I kill them, he said.

The song title not given was in Isakov's regular sweet style and employed full use of his excellent guitar playing and soothing vocals.

Last night was not only the first stop of Isakovs American tour, but it was also his first time in Lawrence. He seemed to like being there as much as his audience did.

I think this one was the best first shows ever, Isakov said.

Edited by Ashley Hocking

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Folk musician Gregory Alan Isakov puts on fun, soulful show at Liberty Hall - The University Daily Kansan