THROUGH THE LENS: ND Photographers’ Favorite Roots Music Concerts of 2023

December is my favorite month for the Through the Lens column because it gives the ND photographers the opportunity to step out from behind their cameras and share with us what moved them this year. 

Here’s what 14 ND photographers have to say, in words and photos, about their favorite roots music gigs of 2023. So many thanks to them for sharing so much with us.

Allison Russell 

I caught all three of Russell’s exhilarating shows on this year’s Cayamo cruise. I can’t wait for more. — Brenda Rosser

The standout of 2023 for me was Alison Russell, who played two mesmerizing sets at Bluesfest Byron Bay. She has it all — a great voice, musicianship, songcraft, and a magnetic stage presence. — Steve Ford

Neil Young — The Ford, Los Angeles

From the righteous fury of “Ohio” to a healing hug of “Comes a Time,” Young’s performance was living-room intimate and deeply personal. He puttered about a stage filled with literal and figurative totems, engaging the audience throughout the balmy summer night. In a year when Taylor Swift broke the box office (and the ticket outlets) and where spectacle passed for substance, a hang with Neil Young in the eye of the hurricane easily goes down as my show of the year. — Jim Brock 

Joni Mitchell – Joni Jam at Brandi Carlile’s Echoes Through the Canyon Festival, Gorge Amphitheatre, Quincy, Washington

Brandi Carlile hosted her three-day weekend out at the Gorge Amphitheatre in central Washington overlooking the Columbia River with the long-awaited return of Joni Mitchell. It was a love affair among the musicians and the crowd, with special guests Annie Lennox, Allison Russell, and Celisse, to name a few. People were singing and crying in jubilation, it was wonderful. — Peter Dervin 

Natalie Merchant — St. Augustine Amphitheatre, St. Augustine, Florida 

In support of her marvelous self-produced double album Keep Your Courage, Merchant gave us a magnificent evening as she sang, smiled, and twirled in and around her band, instantly drawing us in. With a voice as warm and enveloping as ever, she held up a metaphorical torch to guide us through these uncertain days. — Kim Reed

Patti Smith — The Pioneer Courthouse Square, Portland, Oregon

Despite the 100-degree heat, there was an almost sold-out turnout for this show. The fans were treated to many of her hit songs, including “Ghost Dance,” “Because the Night,” and “Gloria,” and she ended with “People Have the Power.” As always, Smith and her band put on a top-notch show and it’s always a privilege to be able to see one of them. — C. Elliott 

Wilco — High Water Festival, Charleston, South Carolina

I’m partial to music in smaller spaces — dive bars, listening rooms, and the like — but Wilco’s headlining set at High Water made me believe in festivals again. From the main stage, Tweedy and company served up the best 75 minutes of live music that I heard all year. — Justin St. Clair 

Sierra Ferrell — The Ameripolitan Awards, Memphis, Tennessee  

Sparkling in a beautiful custom-designed suit by Manuel Cuevas, Ferrell and her amazing band put on a mesmerizing performance. True to her busking days, she also performed in the hotel lobby’s late-night jam sessions. I was so happy to see her win the award in the Western Swing Female category. — Liza Orozco

Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore — Tractor Tavern, Seattle

Backed by Alvin’s band The Guilty Ones, these two longtime friends had the house rocking.  After battling several forms of cancer the last few years, Alvin was in fine form. His energy and fabulous guitar work made for an unforgettable night of music along with Gilmore’s stellar songs and the stories they told in between. — Boom Baker

Suzanne Vega — Sellersville Theater, Sellersville, Pennsylvania

With lots of tales of travel and how songs get from her head to recording them, Vega made this an extra special night. — Mark J. Smith  

Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi — Florida Folk Festival, White Springs, Florida

It was their unannounced appearance at the Florida Folk Festival’s Sacred Steel tent at the Florida Folk Festival that moved me most this year. They were there to honor Aubry Ghent, a legend of steel guitar who also officiated their wedding in 2001. It was like a church service with dancing and singing. Just amazing. — Rick Davidson 

Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew — Mill Valley Music Festival, Mill Valley, California

I could not get enough of this night filled with Talking Heads songs, aided by former members of Brooklyn-based funk band Turkuaz. I had seen them at the 2022 Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Fest, and plan to see them yet again on Dec. 30 in San Francisco. So much fun! — Brian A. Miller 

 Ana Popović — The Iridium, New York 

After overcoming several health issues post-COVID, Belgrade-born blues guitarist Popović released a new album, Power, and toured extensively to support it this year. Always an exciting performer, she lit up this intimate jazz club with her energy and charm. — Lou Montesano  

Amythyst Kiah — AmericanaFest, Nashville

Kiah just keeps getting better and more dynamic in concert. She made the most of a short set (so it goes at a festival) with an electric, and eclectic, mix of rock, soul, and blues highlighted by a searing rendition of “Black Myself,” a song that dives deeper with repeat performances. — Chris Griffy

Click on any photo below to view the gallery as a full-size slideshow.