ITLM OTRS Presents: The Fixx and Jill Sobule Bring Timeless Vibes and Fresh Fire to The Barns at Wolf Trap

Apr 22, 2025 admin_bitlc Features, ITLM OTRS, Music News, Reviews 0

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By Fleurette Estes & Raymond Burton Estes

Eighties radio rock icons The Fixx lit up The Barns at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia, delivering a powerful set of post-punk and new wave guitar-driven rock to a packed house. Kicking off the evening was singer-songwriter Jill Sobule, whose warm blend of folk-pop and witty storytelling quickly won over the crowd. While the audience leaned heavily Gen X, anyone expecting a simple nostalgia trip was in for a surprise—in the best way possible.

Opening the show, Jill Sobule stepped onto the stage alone with nothing but her signature Stringsmith Vagabond travel guitar—and immediately filled the room. Dressed in bright, playful clothes with a smile that could melt steel, Sobule radiated charisma from the first note. She praised The Fixx for being not only musical legends but kind tourmates – “not a5$holes,” as she put it—and then dove into a set that was part concert, part confessional, and 100% heartfelt.

Her songs, full of wit, warmth, and wonder, wove effortlessly between tales of first crushes, a blue motorcycle, a red Mexican wrestling mask, and moments of vulnerable self-discovery. She wore her heart—and her identity—proudly on her sleeve, embodying a joyful, unapologetic authenticity that clearly resonated with the crowd.

Highlights included the standout number from her musical FCK7thGRADE*, a tender yet hilarious look at adolescent heartbreak, and Forbidden Thoughts of Youth, a song brimming with the nervous energy of a young girl’s first crush on her friend Mary Gardner. The crowd swayed, sang, and soaked up every moment.

One especially touching moment came when Sobule recounted a story from her days on the Lilith Fair tour. Feeling down and sidelined on the smaller stage, she visited the medic tent before her set. The medic lit up, telling her, “You are my daughter’s favorite singer” Sobule felt momentarily redeemed—until the medic added, “Thanks, Jewel!” She shared the anecdote with a self-aware grin, turning it into a moment of humor, humility, and connection. By the end of her set, it felt like she wasn’t just performing—she was making new friends.

The Fixx—Adam Woods (drums, percussion), Rupert Greenall (keyboards, backing vocals), Jamie West-Oram (guitar, backing vocals), and Dan K. Brown (bass, backing vocals)—opened with a brooding instrumental that set the stage for frontman Cy Curnin to make his entrance. With theatrical flair and magnetic presence, Curnin emerged like a new wave mystic, complete with props: a quill, a masquerade mask, a glittered cane. His performance was equal parts performance art and rock show, and his voice—still rich and full of fire—cut through the venue with the clarity of someone decades younger.

It wasn’t just about the hits (though yes, they played them). Before launching into crowd favorites like One Thing Leads To Another, Saved By Zero, Red Skies, and Stand Or Fall, the band took their time showcasing deep cuts and newer material, proving they’re far from a nostalgia act. Their chemistry was tight, their sound polished yet passionate. The room pulsed with a shared energy—audience members visibly recharged, caught between memory and momentum.

In a heartfelt moment, Curnin revealed that Happy Landings was his mother’s favorite song. With that in mind, he dedicated it to all the mothers and mothers-to-be, offering a tender tribute that stood out amid the band’s often critical lens on human behavior. While many of their songs highlight the darker consequences of our actions, this dedication—and the song itself—shines with a sense of hope, pointing to the possibility of a brighter, more compassionate future.

By the time the final notes rang out, it was clear the night had been more than worth the price of parking, the Tax Day blues, and the midweek burnout. The Fixx proved why they’re still revered pioneers of their genre, blending poetic weight with sonic power. Sobule reminded everyone that a single voice and guitar, when wielded with honesty and heart, can be just as electrifying as a full band.

Both The Fixx and Sobule struck a perfect balance between honoring their roots and pushing forward with new material, playing with the same passion and urgency that built their loyal followings in the first place. This wasn’t just a night of greatest hits; it was a celebration of artistic evolution, musical integrity, and connection.

If this tour stops anywhere near you, do yourself a favor: go! Whether you’re revisiting old favorites or discovering these artists for the first time, you’ll walk away feeling inspired, energized, and maybe just a little bit younger.

For more on The Fixx, click here

For photo of The Fixx, click here

For more on Jill Sobule, click here

For photos of Jill Sobule, click here

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• Adam Woods, concert review, Cy Curnin, Dan Brown, Jamie West Oram, Jill Sobule, Rupert Greenall, The Barns at Wolf Trap Vienna, The Fixx, virginia

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