Kevin Morby at Rough Trade East

Kevin Morby
Rough Trade East, 24 March 2026

My first time seeing Kevin Morby and not only was I lucky enough to catch him play a super intimate show at Rough Trade East, where he gave us a lovely preview of his upcoming album Little Wide Open, but he was also joined by his "better half" (his words!) the equally wonderful Katie Crutchfield of Waxahatchee, who sang with him on three songs.I have the admit I'm a newcomer to the music of Kevin Morby, I've only recently started listening to him despite the fact that his forthcoming album will be his eighth, so I am really playing catch-up here. He's playing the Troxy this summer so obviously has a fairly big following. Because of this I really thought I'd missed my opportunity to see him in a small venue as I am such a latecomer, so I jumped on the chance to see him when this instore event at the always wonderful Rough Trade East was announced and I feel so lucky that I did. 

I got there early enough that the store was still open so I went in to have a browse and Morby was actually on the stage doing a little soundcheck and tuning his guitar as I looked for the new Kim Gordon record. It was pretty surreal but definitely part of the reason why I love these Rough Trade shows.

Later on, I also very much appreciated when Morby, looking suitably rock star-ish with his tousled curls and Jazzmaster guitar, turned up early on stage for his set (I love a punctual man) and immediately launched into Crybaby from his fourth album City Music, definitely giving off both Leonard Cohen and Lou Reed vibes, and even though he was just playing an unadorned electric guitar, it really sounded great. 

At the end he told us that since he was promoting the new record he hoped we didn't mind if he played all new songs tonight, which of course was fine with everyone. He also said that he was playing a borrowed guitar tonight that was plugged straight into the amp, "I haven't raw-dogged it like this for years," he quipped.

The next couple of songs I can't tell you the names of because they were completely new to me and may well have been making their live debut tonight, but from the lyrics and the song titles on Little Wide Open (which is out in May), I'm guessing they were Little Sinners and Badlands. Both were very striking and filled with evocative lyrics, it felt very special to hear his words up close and feel drawn into the stories he was telling through song. He rocked and swayed throughout and often closed his eyes as he sang, as if he too was back in that world he was singing about. It made me very excited for the new album, which I have a feeling may well he his best one yet.

I had seen him earlier returning to the store with his partner Katie Crutchfield and, as I am such a fan of Waxahatchee it was a total thrill just to see her by the side of the stage watching Morby's performance throughout (which was very sweet indeed) but it was still a wonderful surprise when he called her up on stage to sing with him on his latest single, the fantastic Die Young. Morby himself has said that the song is not only a love letter to the road but to Crutchfield, who he met while touring together many years ago, so it was particularly touching to see them both on stage together, smiling at each other as they sang the life affirming refrain of "thank God we didn't die young".

Crutchfield looked so happy and radiant, wearing a very simple ensemble of an oversized shirt striped blue shirt and long skirt with her hair tied back. There's just something special that shines from her and seeing her with Morby, as they are truly one of the premier indie rock couples out there, was an absolute dream.

It was also great to hear the first single from the new album, Javelin, which has to be one of his best songs yet. Crutchfield looked proudly on as Morby sang and then encouraged the crowd to sing the "hey hey" bit in the middle, finally joining him singing at the end, providing the vocals that Amelia Meath sings on the record. I think this song may well be about Crutchfield as well, so again, it felt really lovely to hear them sing it together.

Crutchfield waved as she ran off the stage and Morby said he would do one more song before the signing and he would take a request from the audience. He said he would ask us all what song we wanted to hear and would play the one that got the most requests. 

He then started polling those of us at the front, asking the guy next to me who said I Have Been To The Mountain. He next asked me and, because I didn't expect it, my mind went blank and I said I Have Been The Mountain too. Thankfully by then people started shouting song titles, with a few calling out for his and Waxahatchee's cover of the Jason Molina classic Farewell Transmission (which I must admit would have been incredible to hear, I wish I had said it!) and he did say "I could do that one, Katie is here with me" but then he heard a call for Campfire and said, "let's do that one!"

To be fair, it also sounded great and Crutchfield does indeed sing on that one too and she once again ran out at the right moment to sing her haunting a cappella part, so all in all we got three songs of them singing together! It also went down really well with the crowd and I heard people singing along to the bluesy tune. What an absolute treat it was.

Once it was all over there was a signing and as I brought along my copy of Morby's last album This Is A Photograph I waited around to get it signed. I have to say he was absolutely lovely, shaking everyone's hands and seemed so personable and happy to meet everyone. He happily signed a photo and the record for me and it was just a really nice experience. 

It all has made me a bonafide fan of Kevin Morby. He's not only a true talent and a fantastic live performance but seems to be a genuinely lovely human being too.