Sufjan Stevens performs latest work in Asheville concert

Patrick Beeson — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 03:44:23 GMT

Singer songwriter Sufjan Stevens made a stop in the mountain town of Asheville, NC as part of his North American tour.

Storified by Patrick Beeson · Thu, Oct 27 2011 02:33:49

This isn't your father's Sufjan.

Singer songwriter Sufjan Stevens performed most of the songs from his latest album The Age of Adz at the Asheville Civic Center last night. The stop was just one of many in his North American tour that began in Quebec.

The album is a marked departure from previous efforts -- banjos are replaced by drum machines and Autotuned vocals -- though a few old favorites did surface late in his Asheville performance.

Stevens' choice of costumes, set design and dancing did make for a great show however. It was enough to convince many folks, including my wife and I, to make the drive to Asheville despite the cold temps and 11:30 p.m. end time (on a Sunday).

Sufjan Stevens performs tonight at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium! The show starts at 8 p.m. (still plenty of time to get to Asheville), doors at 7 p.m.
— AC Entertainment · Sun, Nov 07 2010 13:31:37

Glad to be inside at the Sufjan Stevens concert and glad to be in the cool weather of Asheville.
— · Sun, Nov 07 2010 16:00:01

The set and music were inspired by outer space and Louisiana artist Royal Robertson.

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Several attendees shot video as well. Here's the title track from Steven's latest album.

Age Of Adz (live @ Asheville Civic Center 11/7/10) - Sufjan Stevens ·

Most attendees came away impressed with Steven's performance and new sound. I certainly did.

Sufjan Stevens last night in Asheville NC - I'm speechless but wow! Just wow! http://yfrog.com/1fx3wjaj ·

At sufjan stevens in asheville with @HCBergman. Life. Changing. Event.
— · Sun, Nov 07 2010 17:04:02

I would drive 14 hours to see Sufjan Stevens again, in a heartbeat. Without doubt one of the best shows I have ever seen. I also highly recommend a visit to beautiful Asheville NC - for any reason. Very cool town.
— Timothy Greening · Mon, Nov 08 2010 17:49:07

Read more about Stevens' new album on Pitchfork and NPR.

Pitchfork: Album Reviews: Sufjan Stevens: The Age of Adz

Sufjan returns with a welcome change-up, as he moves away from bookish detail, experiments with electronics, and writes from a ...

First Listen: Sufjan Stevens, 'The Age Of Adz' : NPR

Five years after releasing Illinois, Stevens is back with a new collection of songs called The Age Of Adz. While the prolific and sometimes reclusive artist has said he'll never finish his series of albums about states, his new record is just as ambitious, with a sound unlike anything Stevens has crafted up to now. Hear the album now.

Patrick Beeson · Storify

Sufjan Stevens performs latest work in Asheville concert