Lyle Lovett and His Large Band

Lyle Lovett’s annual two-night stand in Austin ought to be a holiday. With his phenomenal 15-piece Large Band, the Texan digs deep into his catalog for rare deep cuts, surprising covers, and of course familiar hits, with special guests often joining throughout the set. This year marks 35 years since Lovett released his Lyle Lovett and His Large Band LP, a surprising turn for the songwriter that leaned into heavy jazz elements and won the artist his first Grammy. Yet the album also showcased his humor, sharp songwriting, and eclectic stylistic span that has come to define his career. – Doug Freeman