Lucinda Williams is back with her 16th album, World's Gone Wrong, and the Americana legend is firing on all cylinders. As she takes the stage at Belfast's Limelight, she exudes an air of quiet authority that belies the physical challenges she's been facing since suffering a stroke. But as soon as she begins to sing, her voice takes on a newfound urgency, like a clarion call from a woman who refuses to be silenced.
The setlist is largely drawn from this latest album, with Williams tackling themes of power, consequence, and social justice. The music is characteristically rootsy, with slide guitar and cymbals conjuring up a sense of space that allows her lyrics to breathe. From the title track onwards, it's clear that Williams has never been more incisive in her songwriting – each song landing like a precision-crafted punch.
One of the standout moments comes when she turns everyday details into charged intimacy on Right In Time, with the image of a kettle boiling offloading a lifetime of emotions onto the listener. And then there's Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, a haunting exercise in evocation that conjures up memories via scent and radio waves.
But what really sets Williams apart is her willingness to confront the complexities of power and privilege head-on. Her new songs are unflinching in their critique of systemic injustices, yet she never succumbs to polemic or dogma – instead opting for a nuanced exploration that leaves room for doubt and resistance.
Even when she breaks into Neil Young's Rockin' in the Free World, it becomes clear that Williams is not just singing along to a familiar tune – she's also wrestling with its complexities, her voice faltering on "It's great to be in Dublin... oh wait – Belfast." The crowd responds with thunderous applause, though, and Williams recovers, basking in the energy of a room that knows when they're witnessing greatness.
For all its protestations about an increasingly out-of-kilter world, Williams' music remains steadfastly human, drawn as it is to the smallest details – a smile, a scent, a memory. And on stage tonight, surrounded by her band and a crowd hanging on every word, she proves once again why Lucinda Williams is one of the most vital, essential voices in American music.
The setlist is largely drawn from this latest album, with Williams tackling themes of power, consequence, and social justice. The music is characteristically rootsy, with slide guitar and cymbals conjuring up a sense of space that allows her lyrics to breathe. From the title track onwards, it's clear that Williams has never been more incisive in her songwriting – each song landing like a precision-crafted punch.
One of the standout moments comes when she turns everyday details into charged intimacy on Right In Time, with the image of a kettle boiling offloading a lifetime of emotions onto the listener. And then there's Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, a haunting exercise in evocation that conjures up memories via scent and radio waves.
But what really sets Williams apart is her willingness to confront the complexities of power and privilege head-on. Her new songs are unflinching in their critique of systemic injustices, yet she never succumbs to polemic or dogma – instead opting for a nuanced exploration that leaves room for doubt and resistance.
Even when she breaks into Neil Young's Rockin' in the Free World, it becomes clear that Williams is not just singing along to a familiar tune – she's also wrestling with its complexities, her voice faltering on "It's great to be in Dublin... oh wait – Belfast." The crowd responds with thunderous applause, though, and Williams recovers, basking in the energy of a room that knows when they're witnessing greatness.
For all its protestations about an increasingly out-of-kilter world, Williams' music remains steadfastly human, drawn as it is to the smallest details – a smile, a scent, a memory. And on stage tonight, surrounded by her band and a crowd hanging on every word, she proves once again why Lucinda Williams is one of the most vital, essential voices in American music.
. Her new album World's Gone Wrong is fire 
. I love how she tackles tough themes like power and privilege without shying away from complexity 
. But what really gets me is how human her songwriting stays - it's all about the smallest details that can evoke big emotions 
. And witnessing her perform live, you can feel the urgency in her voice 
. She's a true icon 
!!! lucinda williams is back and better than ever!! her new album world's gone wrong is giving me LIFE 
I mean, have you heard right in time?? it's like she's speaking directly to our souls!!! the way she tackles power, privilege, and social justice in her songwriting is so thought-provoking 
i love how she never gives up on her message but also leaves room for doubt and resistance 
what I adore most about lucinda williams is that her music stays human and relatable no matter what complex issues she's addressing 
. her music is more than just protest - it's an invitation to slow down, breathe in the scent of life, and confront the complexities of power with an open heart.
her voice is so urgent and powerful, it gives me chills every time 
i love how she tackles themes of power and social justice in a way that's both nuanced and unflinching - she never shies away from confrontation but also leaves room for doubt and resistance 
what really gets me is how she takes everyday details and turns them into charged intimacy, like in right in time - it's like she's sharing her own personal memories with us 
lol wasnt aware lucinda williams made another album 
seems like she's still got some serious vocals left in her tho 
also love how she tackles power & privilege head-on, really important stuff 
i've been listening to it nonstop since it dropped and every song is so powerful 
and her voice is just... wow 
i love how she tackles themes of power and privilege in her music - it's not always easy to talk about these things, but she does it in such a way that feels honest and vulnerable at the same time 
. That stroke must've messed with her, but she's got some fire in her belly now 
. The way she tackles everyday stuff like a kettle boiling is genius, turns the mundane into the profound 
.
The way Lucinda Williams takes the stage and owns it with her voice is truly inspiring. Her music may be rooted in Americana but she's speaking straight to our souls. The way she tackles power, privilege and social justice head-on without shying away from complexity is a breath of fresh air. She reminds us that even in the darkest times, there's always room for doubt, resistance and humanity 
. I'm all about artists who keep it real & human in their music, Lucinda's definitely one of them 
And can we talk about that song "Right In Time" though... it's like she's bottled up all her feelings into this one image of a kettle boiling 
It's so relatable and intimate. Williams is defo still got it 
. Her energy on stage is infectious 
, and I'm so grateful we're witnessing greatness from a legend like Lucinda Williams 
despite everything she's been through. Her new songs are really hitting me - all about power and privilege, but also about finding your own voice and not being silenced 
even when she breaks into neil young's song, she's still owning it 