Mavis Staples Is Unstoppable

Mavis Staples at the Ryman, 1/31/2026
Photo: Victor J. Reed

Vocalist Mavis Staples is unquestionably a cultural treasure — a performer whose artistry and brilliance remain impressive and whose legacy extends as she continues to inspire and excel at 86. Staples’ much-anticipated appearance at the Ryman was delayed a week due to the winter storm, but those who braved the still-frigid conditions Saturday night were treated to a superb show. Staples gave a consistently energetic, engaging and versatile performance that ran nearly 90 minutes and included a powerful encore rendition of “I’ll Take You There,” one of several songs celebrating various eras of her career.

Staples began that career with the legendary Staple Singers, the family group she first joined as a teen and of whom she is the last surviving member. The Staples family were gospel legends and civil rights warriors who became soul stars in the late 1960s and early ’70s. Backed on Saturday by a tight ensemble that included a guitarist, bassist, drummer and two backup singers, Staples sounded strong and determined during stirring performances of “Why Am I Treated So Bad” and “If All I Were Was Black.”

In addition to providing fine instrumental support on guitar, bandleader Rick Holmstrom occasionally took the lead vocals on such tunes as the all-time classic “Respect Yourself.” Staples’ set also included numbers from her most recent LP Sad and Beautiful World.

Between songs, Staples often referenced moments from her amazing career, including remembrances of the friendship between her father Roebuck “Pops” Staples and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. She peppered her banter with jokes about senior moments and Taylor Swift as well as calls for those in attendance to keep marching and remain active. Above all, she called for the rejection of hatred and the embrace of love, never sounding bitter or resigned in her appeals.

M.J. Lenderman at the Ryman, 1/31/2026
Photo: Victor J. Reed

Despite battling occasional leg cramps that forced her to take a seat to keep performing, Staples wasn’t the least bit slowed during her lengthy set. If anyone questions the ability of an artist over some arbitrary age to sound fresh, be relevant and perform consistently, they haven’t seen Staples. Her opening act was none other than contemporary rocking Americana star M.J. Lenderman, who headlined his own show at the Ryman in the fall. He gave a solid 45-minute all acoustic set, mixing originals with fine renditions of other artists’ songs like Warren Zevon’s “Hasten Down the Wind” (as made famous by Linda Ronstadt). Lenderman made an ideal bridge to Staples’ set with a performance of the titular “Sad and Beautiful World” from her recent LP (which itself is a cover of a song from Sparklehorse’s 1995 debut). He also joined Staples onstage later in the night.

In perhaps the perfect addendum to her concert, Staples won two Grammys on Sunday (Best Americana Performance for “Godspeed” and Best American Roots Performance for “Beautiful Stranger”). Though the extreme cold on Saturday likely prevented the concert from being the total sellout it should have been, those who made it there heard something special: an unstoppable talent and force of personality.