Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit have stopped by Stephen Colbert’s show to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Isbell’s album Southeastern with a performance of “Cover Me Up.”
Released as the opening track on Southeastern in 2013, “Cover Me Up” has become a beloved entry in Isbell’s catalog, and has been covered by the likes of Zac Brown, Morgan Wallen, and more (with Isbell donating the proceeds from Wallen’s cut to the NAACP). Donning the Late Show stage, Isbell and his bandmates delivered an impassioned version of the tune, beginning with a lone acoustic arrangement and blossoming into an anthemic Americana ballad colored by malleted drum hits and a blistering slide solo.
Additionally, Isbell supported his latest release, Weathervanes, by performing “King of Oklahoma.”
Isbell’s appearance arrives at the tail end of a big year, which included being Consequence’s cover story this past June. That same month, he and The 400 Unit shared their sixth record together, Weathervanes, which Consequence named the 6th best album of 2023. Then, in the fall, the band embarked on one of the year’s most-anticipated tours.
In October, Isbell performed the Weathervanes track, “When We Were Close,” on Jimmy Kimmel’s show, becoming the first musical guest to appear on the program following the end of the writer’s strike. Last month, Isbell and his wife, Amanada Shires, contributed a live version of “The Problem” to Noise for Now: Vol. 1, a compilation album benefitting abortion access.
The 10th anniversary reissue of Southeastern arrived this past September via Southeastern Records/Thirty Tigers, featuring a remastered version of the album, as well as demos and live versions of the songs. Orders for the new edition are ongoing.
Next year, Isbell is set to continue touring and is booked for shows across the US, including stops in Pittsburgh, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, and more. Grab tickets here.
Meanwhile, Colbert recently got to reunite David Letterman with the Ed Sullivan Theater for the first time since Letterman’s retirement in 2015. For the occasion, The National took a break from their tour and performed on the show.