Allison Russell is more than a musician she is a whole entire vibe that filled Royale with love for not only her music but the energy she emits. Russell’s energy permeated the room and loosened up everyone in her presence. Allison Russell’s tour was rescheduled from October, 2024 when she took to the stage for her début on Broadway (and acting as a whole) with Hadestown. It was definitely worth the wait and hearing Russell sing her own Persephone as well as songs from Hadestown was a nice surprise.
Kara Jackson opened with her soft chill vibe, wide eyes, open heart, and guitar across her body. Jackson is from Chicago and was the 2019-2020 United States National Youth Poet Laureate. As I was reading a little bit more about Jackson, I found this interview on GoPride by Jerry Nunn and this opening quote I found very powerful not only about Kara Jackson but about gender and self-representation as an artist in the public eye.
Jackson uses she/her pronouns and feels gender for Black, queer women is automatically complicated. She states, “Representing myself as a Black woman is very important to me, especially in aligning myself with other Black women.”
Kara Jackson being interviewed by Jerry Nunn for GoPride
Her set included many songs that had people nodding and cheering in recognition of a sentiment or situation. Songs like Dickhead Blues with lyrics highlighting when someone doesn’t appreciate your value a common very relatable theme in life and love.
Thinking cupid calls for you
End up gum on someone’s shoe
Makes me feel like I don’t have a clue-Kara Jackson, Dickehead Blues
After a set of poetry in song accompanied by guitar, the audience was primed for Allison Russell. Russell and her band met at the front of the stage by a collection of amulets/talis(wo)mans; lighting a candle joining together in a pre-show huddle, which set the tone for the show and was reflected throughout. Allison Russell’s voice and talented multi-instrumentalism shone as did her rapport with her fellow musicians.
I love the clarity of Russell’s voice and that she sings in both French an English. I love the philosphical nature of her lyrics that are deep and yet easy to grasp at and hold close to your heart. Russell’s lyrics are both awakening and refreshing, they address so much that is going on in life and in the world without leaving you feeling drained or even slightly hostile. She has a way of helping you process it all in the way of a lover not a hater. Allison Russell helps you want to rise to the occasion, fist in the air, but not clenched too tight; fist clenched and heart open.
I just started watching Empress about Elisabeth, the Empress of Austria and one line struck me deeply. Empress Elisabeth is asking one of her ladies in waiting, Ida Ferenczy, about her home life Ferenczy says, “I have no story about a happy childhood if that’s what you mean.” The Empress replies, ” I have never met a strong person with a simple past”. In that vein and after reading, Terri Gross’ Fresh Air interview with Allison Russell, I know that beneath her soft, loving, gentleness Russell is a powerful Athena.
The connection Allison Russell has with her entirely diverse (in so many ways) audience is an energy worth being in the room for. You felt an instant connection to the band and the audience as well. On stage the dynamic between Russell and her fellow musicians was familial and fun.
Russell’s Returners Tour continues on through Texas and Tennessee and then heads to Canada.
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