I have seen Sharon van Etten in concert a few times home and abroad and I pretty much think all of these have been solo. Last night was the first time I had seen the ‘new’ Sharon van Etten and a lovely evening it was too.
First up was EXITMUSIC, the Brooklyn-based duo of Aleksa Palladino and Devon Church who recently expanded their live lineup to include Nicholas Shelestak and Dru Prentiss. The band has been on the radar since Robin Hilton of NPR’s All Songs Considered picked up on them at this year’s SXSW.
The band delivers expansive musical soundscapes that filled the space of the Scala with ease. Keyboard and guitars drive the sound with the vocals strong enough to soar above the instrumentation. New album Passage is released on 21st May via Secretly Canadian and is well worth checking out.
Sharon had a full band at her disposal tonight and as she said “someone to tune her guitars for the first time” Video back drops for every song. (She requests you to send in footage here Dressed smartly in black and with electric guitar the band rock through the three opening numbers, All I can, Warsaw and Peace (Sharon signs pizza, when she get bored?) Sign that made me start thinking that this was going to be a Melissa Etheridge style rock out.
Sharon changed to acoustic guitar for the next song ‘Save Yourself’ and stunning ‘Kevin's’ the guitars varied for the rest of the set.
Sharon also shone though very quickly herself, nervous, funny, and charming. An instant rapport established with the audience. She was a bit like someone who had inherited a large slice of good luck. She almost looked like she had to pinch herself to be sure all this was real.
The set was excellent Tornado, solo on electric guitar, Serpents with the band just superb.
A lovely concert and much applause, smiles and cheers were well deserved. Wider acceptance is just around the corner.
Pete
Set List
All I Can
Warsaw
Peace Signs
Save Yourself
Kevin's
Don't Do It
Give Out
Ask
Tornado
Leonard
Serpents
I'm Wrong
Joke or a Lie
Encore:
One Day
Love More
Sharon's Website
Sharon plays at the Big Star Tribute at the Barbican on Monday 28th May. Latitude festival in July, 02 Shepherds Bush Empire in October and the National curated ATP in December. Dates here
EXITMUSIC