I imagine most people have gone to a show and have discovered an opener because they were there to see the headliner. Have you ever discovered a headliner because you were there for the opener? That happened to me last year when I saw Gruff Rhys (he’s playing DC9 in March!) open for This Is the Kit. Their calm, expansive, proggy indie folk caught my attention and hasn’t let go since.

Kate Stables and co. have friends in all the right places but are still a bit of an unknown on these shores, but people are starting to take notice. Last week’s show at the stately environs of The Barns at Wolf Trap was a great example why. 

At Wolf Trap on Feb. 22, This Is The Kit’s set featured heavily from their most recent album, Careful of Your Keepers. The peppy but introspective “Inside Outside” and the hopeful “More Change” sounded great but the highlights of the night, for me, was a gorgeous “This is Where the Sky Looks Big” and a lovingly ramshackle cover of Gruff’s “If We Were Words We Would Rhyme.”

Watch the official music video for “Inside Outside” by This Is the Kit on YouTube:

Guitarist Neil Smith worked wonders from stage right, with a Marr-esque ability to play around, behind and in front of Stables’ melodies. His effects pedals got a good workout as well, adding atmosphere to the tunes in all the right places. Likewise the rhythm section of bassist Rozi Plain and drummer Lucien Chatin held everything down and propelled the songs ahead.

Lots of times when I go to shows I ask myself “Why isn’t this band bigger?” Generally, the answer is because these things take time. This Is The Kit are putting in the work and soon it’s going to pay off in a big way.

Here are some pictures of This Is the Kit performing at The Barn at Wolf Trap on Feb. 22, 2024. All photos copyright and courtesy of Kyle Gustafson.