Gig Review: PJ Harvey
- Posted on October 4, 2007 3:35 PM
- 0 comments
Royal Festival Hall, 29th September 2007
There she was…Lady Harvey arrives on stage in her ‘White Chalk’ puffy sleeves frock and a fantastic messy hair do! The stage is hers. Tonight she left the band at home. The stage has this lovely feel of cosiness and intimacy with a piano tinselling with little lights, amps covered with the same little sparks, a few rugs, a picture on the piano, a cactus. It feels like stepping in to her own living room where we were welcomed not by a supporting band but by the warm voice of Nina Simone in the background.
PJ Harvey arrives on stage smiling, takes the guitar and starts the night with the tortured howl of ‘To Bring you my Love’. This evening’s set is fantastically balanced and explores all 8 albums majestically. I did not get the new album ‘White Chalk’ beforehand and wanted to discover it live….What a treat it was! I initially got scared by a few reviews criticizing her new ‘childish’ vocal effects and her playing mainly the piano, in a way saying she was running away from what she used to do….Keneni mes amis!
Well do not be afraid people PJ Harvey is definitely herself and she’s just proving she’s one of the top female artists we can find on this planet! Her vocal range is just incredible and her ability to create different atmospheres is unmatched! The music goes effortlessly from the almost claustrophobic ‘when under ether’ on the piano to the very heavy and bass-y ‘Electric light’ – which by the way, started with a very funny little episode because the ‘naughty’ drum machine did not want to work and ended up alone in the corner! ‘Down by the water’ took a completely different turn when played on the harp and ‘The kingdom of Love’ played acoustically on the guitar (as it should be!) was a real little jewel! No need to say that I was totally thrilled to hear also some of her oldies such as ‘Dry’ , ‘Man-sized’ and ‘Snake’ . I could have jumped of happiness when she finished the evening with ‘Water’….I have seen her a few times and never had it live before!
Please PJ, come and play again soon! And if you’re reading me people, make sure you rush to the next concert! I can guarantee you’ll have a splendid time whether you know PJ Harvey or not. She’s definitely one of my biggest influence and I just wish we could hear more people like her….It’s really comforting to see real talent still exists and that some artists still have the desire to challenge themselves and discover a side they have not explored!
- Audrey Deheeger
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