Orville Peck, known to many as the mysterious country singer who wears a mask, made a lasting impression on weekend 2 of ACL. The esteemed cowboy stampeded on the Honda stage, ready to deliver a set full of passion and surprise.
Songs like “Big Sky” and “Turn to Hate” established the atmosphere for the set: a little heavy, a little chilling. However, as he performed songs like “C’mon Baby, Cry” and “Conquer The Heart,” the audience became more engaged, swaying and singing along and transforming that atmosphere into something lively and immersive. Those songs blared through the crowd as Peck commanded the stage, parading around as if he owned it.
A highlight performance was “Lafayette,” a reflective song about New Orleans with themes of loss and longing. Peck poured his soul into the song with his powerful voice, both rock-like and crooner-like, and this was enhanced by the guitar and drums that blended seamlessly together. The audience sang along, with everybody harboring their own Lafayette and expressing it in the crowd.
When it seemed the energy couldn’t get more heightened, no one other than Willie Nelson showed up. He had already made an appearance at Chris Stapleton’s set two days prior, and it was comforting to see him show up again, reminding us all how alive country music still is. The two performed “Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other,” a song that has already become popular within Peck’s catalog. Its meaning is quite self-explanatory, being widely known as the “gay cowboy song,” but its focus is on calling out and satirizing gay stereotypes in country music and culture. Words cannot describe how refreshing it felt to see Orville Peck and Willie Nelson sing that song together at this moment in time, carrying themselves like two old friends sitting on a porch.
Peck followed this collaboration with a few more songs, the standout being “Dead of Night,” which is perhaps his most well-known song to date. It’s a wistful song about unrequited love, one you would blast while driving down the highway as the sun sets, and he performed this at the perfect time as the sun was creeping toward its sunset. It wrapped the set with a bow, making it one that will last with the crowd for times to come.
Orville Peck is an ever-so-captivating act to witness who has artfully put his own stamp on the country music scene, drawing from past influences in the genre while also being inventive. He is currently on tour for his latest album, Stampede, where he will continue serenading audiences with his cool country melodies.
