Joey Burns fronts Calexico at the Lincoln Theatre on April 27, 2018. (Photo by Mark Caicedo)

Calexico’s Joey Burns is a gentleman. Aside from his easy-going banter between songs, his musical generosity toward his bandmates, and the stellar renditions of his compositions, he made sure to thank the adoring Lincoln Theater crowd repeatedly throughout his band’s performance on Friday, with a special shout-out to those parents of small children who went through considerable effort to be there. As we were to learn, the Calexico frontman knew firsthand of what he spoke.

Calexico’s show at the beautiful Lincoln Theater was a 2018 concert highlight for this long-time fan. Touring in support of its ninth studio album, The Thread That Keeps Us, released in January, the 2-hour set focused on the new music, but with plenty of nods to Calexico’s extensive catalog. Opening with a lively “Frontera/Trigger” from The Black Light (1998), we then leapt ahead, without missing a beat, to “End of the World With You” from the new album. A rapid succession of brilliant new tunes followed, ultimately bringing the crowd to its feet for the raucous “Flores y Tamales.” And we were only six songs into what would be a 21-song set! The highlight of the first half of the show for me was “Thrown to the Wild” with its slightly spooky melody and slow build to an extended closing instrumental section. The harmonies during the coda sent shivers down my spine, yet I’d wager there wasn’t a soul in the audience that wanted the song to end.

Joey Burns then completely changed the mood with his introduction to “Girl in the Forest.” In a nod to the parents in the audience, he spoke of writing the song with his 7-year-old twin daughters. Cast as a gentle fable about the state of the planet (“Well, the world was spinning so fast, nobody took the time”), Burns says, “That song wouldn’t have been written unless I was sitting next to my daughter Twyla, who was humming along as I was making up this melody. For months, we tried finishing the lyrics together; I was leading with this idea about environmentalism and protesters in the forest, and I thought there could be some sort of spirit who appears.

“And then my daughter told me, ‘Yeah, that’s cool — but maybe it’s just a girl who’s friends with all the animals.’” So that’s the song — with its gorgeous little melody reminiscent of an Eagles’ ballad.

From this midpoint of the set, Calexico delved back into its extensive catalog with “Two Silver Trees,” “Minas de Cobre,” and “Inspiración.” This sequence was followed by another new tune, “Music Box,” which felt like a love song to Calexico’s fans: “Here’s a little gift from me to you…and I want you to know this song’s for you, and I need you to know that I love you.”

The show ended with the south of the border-influenced “Crystal Frontier.” But we weren’t really done. The first encore was an utterly stunning “Fortune Teller,” featuring Lauren Jacobson’s beautiful harmonies and violin. The full band then returned for the new song “Another Space” and — with the crowd back on its feet — ended with “Güero Canelo.”

The evening’s set list:

Frontera / Trigger
End of the World With You
Voices in the Field
Under the Wheels
The Town & Miss Lorraine
Flores y Tamales
Sonic Wind
Sunken Waltz
Thrown to the Wild
Girl in the Forest
Stray
Two Silver Trees
Minas de Cobre (For Better Metal)
Inspiración
Music Box
Cumbia de Donde
Alone Again Or (Love cover)
Crystal Frontier
Encore:
Fortune Teller
Another Space
Güero Canelo

Calexico’s music spans a considerable spatial and temporal distance going back to its debut album, 1997’s “Spoke” and several world tours over the past 20 years. The tunes themselves borrow from Mexican rancheras and cumbias, Southern California soft rock, guitar-driven surf tunes and folkie Americana, all of which draws a diverse, wide ranging audience…

And perhaps that’s what drives Joey’s inexorable optimism, easy-going onstage charisma, and stellar songwriting and musicianship. Go see this band play! Get a babysitter if you must… or just bring the kids! Find music, videos and tour information at http://www.casadecalexico.com.

Here are some pictures of Calexico performing at the Lincoln Theatre on April 27, 2018. All photos copyright and courtesy of Mark Caicedo.