On only the second show of Lucy Dacus’s late summer tour, Mother Nature became a formidable opponent for the sold out crowd that had begun streaming into Kemba Live! last evening. Less than an hour before show opener Jay Som was to take the stage, announcements of the need to evacuate the venue came across the P.A. Saddened fans made their way to shelter to wait out what would be a two and half hour delay.

For those, including myself, seeking refuge in Kemba’s indoor venue the mood deepened as we witnessed roadies packing instruments and cables into boxes from the outdoor stage just beyond a huge black curtain.

After more than an hour waiting and wondering, the evening took an unusual turn as without warning, screams and cheers erupted from the damp masses as Dacus and band appeared in the darkly lit room with guitars in hand. A hush soon came over the crowd as the woman whom all came to see yelled as loud as her soft voice could that they would be taking requests. What transpired was a short, impromptu set in front of a couple of thousand lucky fans who listened intently as the band played, literally, unplugged versions of “Cartwheel,” “Nonbeliever,” “Brando,” “Going, Going, Gone,” and “Partner in Crime.”

This is what appreciative and enduring artists do for their fans, and Dacus proved she is at the top of her game here. In the face of challenge, she didn’t falter—she transformed. With instinct as her compass and creativity as her canvas, she turned limitation into an alternate stage.

As the applause died down after “Partner,” Dacus announced she was ready to take things back outside and with a cheer and many tears the crowd began to head back to the amphitheater.

The storm had thinned the crowd a bit, but for those who stuck it out the reward was well worth the wait. Dacus and band quickly moved through a shortened set to meet local curfew, but not without hitting the highlights. Her voice made its way through the air like a trusted friend whispering secrets in your ear and reminded the audience why she remains one of the most compelling storytellers in indie rock.

While many fans know Dacus as one-third of the supergroup boygenius (with Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker), her solo career has always stood firmly on its own. In fact, her work often dives deeper into themes of family, identity, faith, and Southern upbringing. Her songwriting style is uniquely literary, and yet always accessible, always honest. She even reminded fans of her playing just next door in the much smaller A&R Bar hinting at her wonder if she would ever be able to play for a crowd at the much larger Kemba Live! She thanked those in attendance for bringing that thought to reality.

For fans who’ve followed Dacus since her breakout debut No Burden (2016), Saturday’s setlist felt like a deeply personal conversation, full of love, loss, memory, and a kind of soft resistance that only Dacus can write into songs. The tour, supporting material from her latest release, Forever is a Feeling, is a more stripped-down affair than a Boy Genius concert. The setting puts quite a bit of emphasis on the words and the audience – and in Columbus, that connection was palpable – making the event feel almost like she’s sitting in your living room.

The late night set opened with fan favorite “Hot and Heavy” from 2021’s Home Video followed by a smattering of numbers from Forever that had fans screaming just as loudly as they did for the more seasoned selections. Barely a stone was left unturned by the band, weaving new numbers through older favorites like “VBS” and smash hit encore, “Night Shift.”

To me, it was the selections from her latest album that drew particular attention to Dacus’s continued growth as an artist. The introspective and literary indie style that fans have come to love has only gotten better and the songs on her new album feel like slow-burning revelations—poetic, personal, and quietly radical in their construction. Experiencing them live brings a nuance to the music that draws even the most casual fan closer. The subtle flash, but fierce intimacy of her live show only contributed to her magnetism.

As Dacus’s voice echoed throughout the venue, I saw the adoration on the faces of her fans who mouthed every word like scripture, eyes wet and shining under stage lights. Saturday’s show, especially the treat for those holed up from the weather inside, was a reminder that Dacus doesn’t need elaborate production or grand gestures to move people. All she needs is a guitar, a story, and a room full of people ready to feel something real.

One of the many highlights of the evening came midway through though outdoor set. In a social media post before tour, Dacus provided fans with the opportunity to sign up to be married. After singing “Best Guess” to six lovely young couples slow dancing on stage among the band, Dacus was handed a bouquet of roses and a list of vows and names whereupon she joined the happy faces in matrimony in front of thousands of friends old and new.

Besides the unfortunate disruption from the storm, the only disappointment of the evening was the cancellation of support act, Jay Som. I share Dacus’s encouragement to check out Jay’s music.

Lucy Dacus doesn’t just perform — she invites you in. From the back of the room or the front row, her music hits with the same quiet intensity. Her tour might be promoting new songs, but its emotional impact is timeless. Whether you come for the lyrics, the melody, or the memories the songs stir up, one thing is certain; Lucy Dacus knows how to find you, no matter where you’re standing. But don’t wait. The second half of Dacus’s summer tour only extends through September across the United States and into Canada.