At back-to-back Philly shows, Lucinda Williams plans to spread message of resistance

Philadelphia music lovers are in for a treat, as Lucinda Williams will grace the stage at Union Transfer for not one, but two nights and will hear songs both new and old.

The Louisiana native’s career is expansive and storied, but after nearly 50 years in the music industry, she’s still got a fire inside her. That fiery spirit is on full display throughout her latest album, World’s Gone Wrong, which released earlier this year.

 ”One of the things that prompted me to write some of these songs was that I didn’t see enough action from the people like there used to be,” she said.

Williams has always been political, and amid the second Trump Administration, she finds herself asking:  isn’t everybody else pissed off too?

 As a young woman, she dived into the music of revolutionary figures such as Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, and Joan Baez. “ All those songs they did were unabashedly great protest songs,” she said.

In the modern age, she wonders if that same spirit still exists, and set out to inspire people to resist forces that aim to oppress and suppress.

“I don’t wanna bum people out and make them feel bad, but I’m just trying to make them aware more and just not be complacent,” she said. “ Complacency and apathy are two things that I just cannot tolerate. So even if you don’t agree with me, at least have an opinion, you know? Stand for something.”

Playing two consecutive nights in Philadelphia in support of an album that focuses on resistance is apropos for Williams, as the city is the birthplace of the American Revolution and has countless celebrations in store for the nation’s semiquincentennial — or 250th — anniversary.

Concertgoers will get a rocking experience at Union Transfer. Williams said her band is ready to go and now feature former Black Crowes guitarist Marc Ford alongside her longtime collaborator, guitarist Doug Pettibone.

“ He and Doug play really well together,” she said.

She’s most excited to play the song “American Dream” from 2003’s World Without Tears, a song is about how the American dream, to many citizens, it just that: a dream.

“ It’s just a reflection of what’s happening right now, and has been for a long time,” she said.

Williams’ knack for writing about what she sees happening in the nation is one of the reasons she was named among the 30 greatest living songwriters by the New York Times recently.

 ”It feels great,” she said of being included on the list. “It’s the ultimate achievement.”

But she’s experiencing some conflicting feelings.

“I worry a little bit about the people who didn’t get on it that they should be on it, too,” she said. Joni Mitchell and Bobbie Gentry come to mind when asked about who should be among those named in the Times’ list.

Williams also looks at the newer class of singer-songwriters with reverence, too. She said she’s become a champion — and friend — of Margo Price, and loves Jason Isbell. While not new to the music game, she also shouted out Bo Ramsey and Greg Brown, both Iowans who specialize in folk, blues, and rock.

Her tastes don’t end with the Americana, country, folk, and roots rock: she’s a massive fan of The Carpenters.

“I love them,” she said. “Karen Carpenter’s voice, it’s insanely good!”

Another artist she adores that could surprise longtime fans is Dionne Warwick, who Burt Bacharach called his muse and worked extensively with on numerous hit records.

Lately, Williams is trying to “let her guard down” when it comes to music she hasn’t historically and typically turned to.

“ Sometimes singer-songwriters, we can take ourselves too seriously,” she said. “ We need to get out of our own way.”

That said, she can’t wait to get on stage in Philly and play her new music to fans, as well as songs spanning her career. Audiences can expect slightly different set lists for each night at Union Transfer, she said.

Tickets to Monday’s show are online here, and Tuesday’s show here.