Jon Spencer Live @ The Wilbur, Boston MA [12-21-25]

Photo: Kay Davila

You know, sometimes life gets the best of us. Like being overworked, or started a new job (work!) or just family obligations. My “distraction” was vacation. I went to Aruba. Sue me, OK? But, I deserve it. Also, I loved it. But I mention this because right before I left, I had the great pleasure of seeing Jon Spencer’s band live. I’m talking the DAY before. And since I left, I can’t stop thinking about this show. So now, back at work, with a calm in the storm, I can synthesize my thoughts and bring you this review, almost 3 weeks after the fact.

I know Spencer’s band was only opening but if the man is in town, no matter what format, you should get your ass off the couch and go see him. Even more surprisingly, he was opening for Samantha Fish at the Wilbur. Talk about FANCY! Last time I saw a rock show there was X. It was a punk show with a wide audience…all sitting down. Does sitting TRANSLATE when you’re watching one of the most electric front men ever? It’s also worth mentioning that it’s a very special time to see Jon Spencer’s band, because he’s currently being backed by some young bucks who are so tuned in and relentless and just “get” what Spencer’s music is about that they elevate it to levels it hasn’t reached in decades.

Jon Spencer should be worshipped. There, I said it. But I think he should be worshipped in 30 years, because right now the man is too busy being an underappreciated living legend. How great is he? Well, when Marc Maron interviewed Steve Albini he specifically singled out Jon Spencer as a man who’s work ethic he admires. He knows exactly what he wants and knows how to get it. Another reason is that Jon Spencer is purely a music man. He’s driven by the art and finds it to be the end to its own means. Spencer isn’t in it for the money. He’s in it for the music. He’s had a varied and incredibly interesting music career that shows no signs of stopping. At this rate, the only way he’ll stop is if he has a heart attack on stage.

We had the great pleasure of interviewing Spencer some years ago and we brought up the idea of a solo album. Spencer thought he wrote better in a group setting and that he didn’t envision a solo album any time soon. Well he was wrong. Last year saw the release of his SECOND solo album Spencer Gets it Lit: a wonderful collection of bare-bones garage rock and honky tonk album, both strange and perfectly fitting his aesthetic. As Spencer himself said, for music to be good it has to be a little bit strange. It certainly appealed to us and we voted it one of the best albums of 2022.

Spencer’s new band was a blurry fury for 45 minutes, playing the entire flammable new EP in full along with some extensive cuts from the Blues Explosion catalog. Songs like Skunk, 2 Kindsa Love, Full Grown, Sweat, and Afro. Was I expecting the band to be good? Yes. Of course, I was. What I wasn’t expecting was that this band would completely blow the roof off the fucking place. I pity ANY band who has to follow them.

I am so excited to hear what’s next for this band. Spencer has found the perfect backing band and his music sounds more charged and excited than ever. The live shows are incredible. I daresay an incredible new LP is coming up too.

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