JamFest is all about celebrating the magic of live music—the unforgettable moments when artists transcend the studio and give fans a once-in-a-lifetime performance. Tonight, we’re turning the spotlight on a truly landmark event in Brandi Carlile’s career: her 2011 live collaboration with the Seattle Symphony at Benaroya Hall.
And don’t miss it tonight on Live Nuggets Radio, airing a very special handpicked live concert in its entirety at 9 PM EST, featuring Brandi Carlile – Live at Benaroya Hall with the Seattle Symphony. This is your chance to experience a full orchestral set that captures the depth, power, and intimacy of Carlile’s live performance.
A Landmark Orchestral Collaboration
Recorded over two sold-out nights in 2011, this concert series marked a bold step for Carlile, pairing her emotive, soul-driven songwriting with the sweeping grandeur of a full symphony orchestra. The result is a rare and timeless live document that fuses folk, rock, and orchestral textures into a cinematic musical experience.
Benaroya Hall, with its pristine acoustics and intimate atmosphere, provided the perfect setting. Carlile’s band and the Seattle Symphony worked in seamless harmony, elevating every song with lush arrangements and dynamic interplay. Fans and critics alike have hailed these performances as some of her most definitive live work, capturing both vulnerability and soaring musicality.
Setlist Highlights
The two-night series was later released as a live album, showcasing a carefully curated setlist that moves fluidly between introspection and cathartic release:
- Before It Breaks – A stirring opener that sets the tone, blending Carlile’s signature vocal intensity with sweeping orchestral layers.
- Dreams – A fan favorite brought to life with orchestral richness, expanding the emotional landscape of the song.
- That Year – Carlile’s evocative storytelling is amplified by the symphony’s textures, making every lyric feel monumental.
- Looking Out and Fall Apart Again – Intimate moments of reflection, enhanced by subtle strings and horns that underscore Carlile’s raw emotional delivery.
- Dying Day and Closer to You – Powerful mid-set performances that balance lyrical introspection with orchestral dynamics.
- Shadow on the Wall and Caroline – Showcasing Carlile’s ability to combine narrative depth with musical sophistication.
- The Story – Perhaps her most iconic song, performed here with breathtaking orchestral support, creating a cinematic and unforgettable live experience.
- Pride and Joy – A celebratory, energetic moment that demonstrates Carlile’s band and orchestra in perfect sync.
- Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen cover) – Closing the night with a transcendent rendition of Cohen’s classic, leaving audiences awestruck.
Each song highlights Carlile’s incredible range as a vocalist, songwriter, and live performer, while giving the Seattle Symphony the chance to shine in a modern, genre-crossing collaboration.
Why This Performance Matters
This Benaroya Hall series is widely regarded as one of Brandi Carlile’s defining live moments. It shows her fearless approach to reinterpretation—transforming familiar songs into something bigger, bolder, and emotionally resonant. Fans walking away from the shows—or listening to the recording years later—witness an artist at the height of her creative vision, bridging the worlds of indie-folk and orchestral majesty.
For anyone exploring Carlile’s catalog, this live album and concert series serve as a masterclass in emotional storytelling, dynamic arrangement, and the power of live collaboration. It’s a reminder that live music isn’t just a performance—it’s an immersive, transformative experience.
Tune In Tonight
Tonight on Live Nuggets Radio, experience the magic for yourself. At 9 PM EST, the station will air Brandi Carlile – Live at Benaroya Hall with the Seattle Symphony, giving listeners a front-row seat to a historic live performance from start to finish. From soaring symphonic swells to intimate vocal moments, this is the perfect showcase of why JamFest celebrates live music above all else.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering Carlile’s music for the first time, tonight’s show promises to deliver the kind of emotional depth, technical mastery, and sheer joy that only a live concert can provide. Don’t miss it—this is live music at its finest, brought straight into your home.