When Orville Peck announced a show at the Filene Center at Wolf Trap, it was quickly snapped up by Parklife’s prolific writer, Mark Engleson. When he needed someone to photograph the show, I jumped at the opportunity. The day of the show, I was at home, getting ready to leave when I got a message from Mark. He had been hit on the head at a show the night before and was feeling pretty bad. I told him not to worry, I’ll cover it. So this one is for Mark. I hope you’re feeling better.
At Wolf Trap on June 14, the first opener was August Ponthier, who delivered a very personal and sincere set. August came out with an accompanying guitarist, Kristin. The music was stripped down and powerful. The nine song set was a mix of old and new, with two songs making their live debuts: “Fixer Upper” and “Evil Woman.” August also told some great stories about the songs, growing up in Texas, and their outfit.
After a short break, Kaitlin Butts set began. In true country star style, the band took the stage first and played her on stage. She immediately brought the energy level up with focused intensity. Her set was brash and rowdy. In addition to her original music, she upped the ante by pulling off an incredible version of Ledbelly’s “In The Pines” (AKA “Where Did You Sleep Last Night”). In between each song, Kaitlin regaled the audience with hilarious stories about the inspirations for many of the songs. And she ended the set the same way she started it, with the band playing her off stage.
After Kailtin’s set some pretty nasty weather moved in. That didn’t keep Orville’s crew from getting everything ready. Once the rain had passed, it was time for Orville Peck. The dim lights and Patsy Cline’s “I Fall To Pieces” (which this Winchester boy appreciated) gave him some slight cover but not enough to escape detection. As soon as he emerged on stage, the crowd got loud. His persona is of a masked country singer but his warmth and gratitude for his fans transcends the character he has created, which is no small feet.
He immediately thanked everyone for showing up.
But first thing’s first. Orville had to lay out some ground rules:
- Sing along, even if you don’t know the words.
- Dance if you feel like dancing.
- If you feel like crying, you must cry.
Orville continued the theme of the evening of playing some old songs, some new songs, and some songs for the first time. He played a bunch of my personal favorites and I noticed something. And, as with every musician, you like some songs more than others. But he played a couple that really made me rethink my opinion, like “Lafayette.” The live version, to me, blows the studio version out of the water! Orville’s storytelling isn’t exclusive to his songs. Between them he told some wonderful stories, like how Willie Nelson approached him to do a song together. That wound up being Ned Sublette’s “Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond Of Each Other.” He said it still blows his mind that he now knows Willie!
Orville got personal and talked about how “Hexie Mountains” was a song he wrote about depression and his mental health at the time. He described how his relationship with the song had evolved over the years. He talked about being from South Africa and how “Kalahari Down” is a song about how the South African Outback feels safe to him.
Late in the set, Orville talked about his Broadway appearances, being in a Street Fighter movie, and writing music had dampened his touring. So he was debuting a new song called “Too Little, Too Late.” It’s an uptempo song that got the audience on their feet and dancing!
He wrapped everything up by asking is anyone was from Florida. That got some applause. Then he asked if anyone was from Mississippi. One person cheered. Orville said there’s someone from both at every show, which is good because they can’t play “Daytona Sand” if there isn’t.
The set wrapped up and Orville and the band momentarily exited the stage. Soon, though, Orville and his guitar reemerged, alone. He began a solo version of the classic, “Unchained Melody,” made famous by The Righteous Brothers, which the band gradually joined him on. He had also switched to a fringed mask, which I really wanted to get photos of, but rules are rules!
The encore, and therefore the night, concluded with a ripping version of “Bronco!” It was the best way to wrap up a set that was full of highs. It’s a fun show and one that I’d go see again. Maybe next time he’ll start off with the fringed mask.
Setlist
- Turn To Hate
- C’mon Baby, Cry
- Conquer The Heart
- No Glory In The West
- The Curse Of The Blackened Eye
- Lafayette
- Hexie Mountains
- Atchafalaya
- Any Turn
- Blush
- Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond Of Each Other (Ned Sublette)
- Drift Away
- Outta Time
- Kalahari Down
- Too Little, Too Late (live debut)
- Dead Of Night
- Daytona Sand
Encore
- Unchained Melody (Alex North & Hy Zaret)
- Bronco
Here are some more photos of Orville Peck performing live at Wolf Trap on June 14, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Marc Shea.
