Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Deliver Career-Spanning Set at Playhouse Square

Rocker mixes new songs with Drive-By Truckers classics in over two-hour performance

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Nearly two decades into his solo career, Jason Isbell and his band the 400 Unit performed a career-spanning set at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, mixing songs from his latest album with classic tracks from his time in Drive-By Truckers. The show featured polished, full-band arrangements of songs that showcased Isbell and guitarist Sadler Vaden's six-string prowess, with standout moments including a bass-heavy "Dreamsicle" and extended jams on "Decoration Day" and a cover of The Rolling Stones' "Can't You Hear Me Knocking."

Why it matters

Isbell's performance highlighted his evolution as an artist, moving from the gritty sound of Drive-By Truckers to a more polished, dynamic live show. The setlist provided a retrospective of his acclaimed solo career, touching on themes of addiction, love, and divorce that have shaped his songwriting. The concert also demonstrated Isbell's continued popularity in the Cleveland market, returning to Playhouse Square for the second time in less than two years.

The details

Over the course of a two-hour, 22-song set, Isbell and the 400 Unit delivered a career-spanning performance that featured more than half the tracks from his latest solo album, 2025's "Foxes in the Snow," as well as classics from his time in Drive-By Truckers like "Decoration Day" and "Outfit." The show was marked by Isbell and guitarist Sadler Vaden's virtuosic guitar work, with extended jams and duels highlighting their six-string prowess. The band also put a fuller, more dynamic spin on acoustic-based songs from "Foxes in the Snow," like the jaunty "Bury Me" and show opener "Crimson and Clay."

  • Isbell and the 400 Unit performed at Playhouse Square in Cleveland on Tuesday, February 25, 2026.
  • The band's previous performance in Cleveland was less than two years ago.

The players

Jason Isbell

A country-inflected rocker and former member of the band Drive-By Truckers, known for his acclaimed solo albums and songwriting that explores themes of addiction, love, and divorce.

Sadler Vaden

Guitarist for Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, known for his virtuosic six-string work and duels with Isbell during the band's live performances.

Drive-By Truckers

The Southern rock band that Isbell was a member of earlier in his career, known for their gritty, politically-charged songs.

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What they’re saying

“Yes, this reviewer may be reading too much into lyrics, but the opening lines of 'True Believer,' with Isbell singing 'take your hand off my knee, take your foot off my neck, why are y'all examining me like I'm a murder suspect?' seems to pretty well make a point.”

— Eric Heisig, Freelance Writer (clevescene.com)

“As someone rightly pointed out to me after the concert, Eric Clapton/Derek and the Dominos' 'Layla' was written about George Harrison's then-wife, and the song has meaning far beyond its origins.”

— Eric Heisig, Freelance Writer (clevescene.com)

What’s next

Isbell and the 400 Unit are expected to continue touring in support of "Foxes in the Snow" throughout 2026, with additional stops planned in the Midwest and Northeast regions.

The takeaway

Jason Isbell's performance at Playhouse Square demonstrated his evolution as an artist, blending his acclaimed solo material with classic songs from his Drive-By Truckers days. The concert highlighted Isbell's continued popularity and artistic growth, as he delivers polished, dynamic live shows that showcase his virtuosic guitar work and introspective songwriting.