Jan 24, 2017

PJ Harvey @ ICC Sydney Theatre

This was a complete performance. An utterly thrilling, compelling display by an artist who had something to say and said it perfectly. PJ Harvey has just returned to our Australian shores and her Sunday night show was magnificent and glorious.

Everything was in total symmetry and cohesion. From the opening seconds as bass drums serenaded the band on stage to the last curtain bow. Ms Harvey hardly uttered a word, except to introduce her band, but she was totally focused on giving us a complete show. Her last two albums have been concept albums, beautifully structured with the theme of the state of England and the USA being the focus. In light of this the opening part of the set showcased these two albums and the songs projected greatly in the live arena. Especially the haunting 'The Glorious Land' and the emotional 'Medicinals'. I think my favourite song of the night though was the beautifully melodic 'The Devil' although when PJ raised the roof with the epic '50ft Queenie' it had a great competitor. Oh, by the way her band was magnificent. Nine of them, all men, in complete sync with one truly great and spectacular woman.

Set List
Chain of Keys
The Ministry of Defence
The Community of Hope
The Orange Monkey
A Line in the Sand
Let England Shake
The Words That Maketh Murder
The Glorious Land
Medicinals
When Under Ether
Dollar, Dollar
The Devil
The Wheel
The Ministry of Social Affairs
50ft Queenie
Down by the Water
To Bring You My Love
River Anacostia

Highway '61 Revisited
Is This Desire?

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home