Rostam Batmanglij made his Austin debut at the ACL Live Theatre on Thursday, April 5. People crowded into the intimate venue to hear his new record, “Half-Light”. Following his exit from Vampire Weekend, Rostam has branched out on his own, making this tour an exciting and much-awaited display of his solo endeavors.

Story by Claire Starling

Opening the show, alternative country artist Sam Buck took the stage. He was accompanied by another musician, also by the name of Sam. Together, they showcased a sound that mixed country and electronic beats. They weren’t afraid to dance in a silly manner, making the duo unexpected, yet incredibly entertaining. Buck’s act created a mood where the audience could unapologetically appreciate eclectic sounds and weird fun.

After the opening act, the room darkened and a string quartet, along with a drummer, made their way onto the stage. Rostam soon followed. He made his way up the steps and planted himself center stage, directly in front of the microphone. He began the set with “Don’t Let It Get To You,” the last song on “Half Light,” his debut record released in September 2017.

The audience focused on Rostam, with his hands on the microphone, and his eyes leveled to the crowd. The lyrics, “even if you don’t realize it, it’s still all up to you” had a way of pulling each audience member into a personal and internal space. With strings rising around his singular voice, Rostam’s lyrical melodies filled the room, captivating people with the beautiful simplicity of his sound. Behind Rostam were images of landscapes, almost encouraging and enchanting the audience to join him on a journey.

As he finished his first song, he greeted the audience and transitioned into the rest of his set. The songs that followed were a more upbeat and heavier on the drums, giving the crowd all the more reason to move around and dance.

Rostam showcased his Iranian roots when singing “Wood”. “Before I play this song, I always ask this question. Are there any Persians in the audience?” he asked. A warm tone elicited the following tune and escaping into it felt easy. After this welcome immersion, Rostam played “Bike Dream”, arguably his biggest hit. The audience responded to this one with knowing familiarity and excitement.

The rest of Rostam’s set included throwbacks and even a bit of Vampire Weekend’s discography, which the crowd was pleased to re-visit. Toward the end, Rostam played his album’s title song, “Half-light,” which emphasized the record’s expressive tone. To close the show, Rostam brought the room full-circle with a reprise of “Don’t Let It Get to You.” His performance was meditative, lovely and a gentle yet powerful way to make his solo debut in the city of Austin.