A seated performance in Dublin’s most adorned & decorated venue was a perfect setting for the 24 year old Ms. Newsom on Saturday. If the the male population in attendance had their way, that pre-nominal would be changed pretty fast such is the unflagging fervour of devotion she incites. And it’s not hard to imagine why. Arriving on stage in a striped fitted brown and white dress, a big lipstick smile and sandy ringlet hair, she greeted the crowd with such glee it’s hard not to use the word childlike. Anyhow, despite rumours of a 30 piece orchestra, Joanna was backed by 3 musicians – Percussionist, Violinist & Banjo / Guitar player collectively known as the The Ys Street Band (from her latest EP).
For such a large capacity venue (1000+), it was a remarkably hushed audience. The set was close to two hours and consisted of Ys in its entirety played sequentially with songs from Milky Eyed Mender scattered between the longer songs. Personally, I prefer Ys as an album, its scope is such that it makes Mender look quaint in comparison and it was these songs that sent shivers down my spine the most. Watching her pluck the harp with such studied precision from the front row was a unique experience.
Cosmia live – Olympia
Highlights of the night were plentiful – Ys’ end sequence of “Sawdust & Diamonds”, “Only Skin” & “Cosmia” was as remarkably good as I’d hoped, a slightly different version of “Peach, Plum, Pear”, her between songs awkwardness resulting in small talk (“Anybody see the bicycle kick?”) and application of glue to all-plucked out fingers meant there was time for a joke (“How many hippies does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Hippies don’t screw in lightblubs, they screw in dirty sleeping bags.”). Her voice was amazingly versatile, and she perfected every note. It was great to hear that vocal squeak her voice does throughout the night. The addition of simple percussion was also a highlight as Neal Morgan stared at Joanna for the whole set waiting for the right time to bang a drum, shake a tambourine or hit a snare. Her movements as she played the harp were captivating as she jerked her head to emphasis the words she was singing. A fantastic performance. Oh, and of course I want to marry her too.. 😉
Peach, Plum, Pear live – Olympia
The setlist went something like this:
Bridges & Balloons
Emily
Monkey & Bear
This Side of the Blue
Inflammatory Writ
Sawdust & Diamonds
The Book of Right On
Peach Plum Pear
Only Skin
Cosmia
Clam Crab Cockle Cowrie
Sadie
More Photos on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nialler/sets/72157600078734301/
Tour Dates:
Apr 16 – Paris, France – La Cigale
Apr 17 – Cologne, Germany – Gloria
Apr 18 – Brussels, Belgium – AB
Apr 19 – Bourges, France – Theatre de Poche (solo)
Apr 21 – Oslo, Norway – Rockefeller (w/ Alasdair Roberts)
Apr 22 – Stockholm, Sweden – Chinese Theatre (w/ Alasdair Roberts)
Apr 23 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Vega (w/ Alasdair Roberts)
Apr 25 – Berlin, Germany – Volksbuehne (w/ Alasdair Roberts)
Apr 26 – Hamburg, Germany – Kampnage (w/ Alasdair Roberts)
Apr 27 – Amsterdam, Holland – Paradiso (w/ Alasdair Roberts)
Apr 29 – Glastonbury, UK – Butlins Holiday Resort Minehead, Somerset (All Tomorrow’s Parties Festival)
May 2 – Lisbon, Portugal – Aula Magna
May 3 – Braga, Portugal – Teatro Circo
May 4 – Barcelona, Spain – Casino de l’Alianca del Poble Nou
May 5 – Madrid, Spain – Sala Galileo Galilei
Sept 28 – London, UK – Royal Albert Hall
Buy Music from Amazon: Joanna Newsom and the Ys Street Band | Ys
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005 . He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, club promoter, event curator and producer of gigs, listening parties & events in Dublin.
cheers man, this looks incredible
she is without doubt the most wonderful pixie headed nymphette harpist in the world
cheers man, this looks incredible
she is without doubt the most wonderful pixie headed nymphette harpist in the world
This gig was amazing. It felt special. I wondered what it was going to be like, and was curious (sceptical) to see how she’d manage the new album live. Not into gushing but have to in this case. Not into all her music but you can really see her talent live; this is original music and a gig as it should be.
This gig was amazing. It felt special. I wondered what it was going to be like, and was curious (sceptical) to see how she’d manage the new album live. Not into gushing but have to in this case. Not into all her music but you can really see her talent live; this is original music and a gig as it should be.
Amazing amazing amazing.
Amazing amazing amazing.
It was intense and wondrous, even if it was chock full of swooning indie boys who hung on her every pluck. 🙂
I wonder if she gets RSI in those pixie hands? Fantastic player, really gifted and I love her voice.
It was intense and wondrous, even if it was chock full of swooning indie boys who hung on her every pluck. 🙂
I wonder if she gets RSI in those pixie hands? Fantastic player, really gifted and I love her voice.
It really was a special night in the olympia – I think Joanna had a good time too. Lovely stuff. A gig to be remembered for a long time.
It really was a special night in the olympia – I think Joanna had a good time too. Lovely stuff. A gig to be remembered for a long time.
Don’t get me wrong here, me thought the performance was indeed quite special and i was thoroughly absorbed in it from start to finish and i cannot say a bad word about joanna newsom herself, her voice was exquisite her playing was inspiring… its just the folks that were playing with her (especially the chap on the banjo) reeked of musical academia (and consequentially i found their performance to be lacking expression), and that fucked a little with the feeling of spontaneity and imagery/imagination in her lyrics and melodies… i enjoyed the encore she played alone for that reason… anybody else get that or am i a twat??!
Don’t get me wrong here, me thought the performance was indeed quite special and i was thoroughly absorbed in it from start to finish and i cannot say a bad word about joanna newsom herself, her voice was exquisite her playing was inspiring… its just the folks that were playing with her (especially the chap on the banjo) reeked of musical academia (and consequentially i found their performance to be lacking expression), and that fucked a little with the feeling of spontaneity and imagery/imagination in her lyrics and melodies… i enjoyed the encore she played alone for that reason… anybody else get that or am i a twat??!
I couldn’t help but thinking about the guy on the right of the stage “My God, all those bulgarian tamboura lessons finally paid off!” but apart from that, it was an intense and wonderful concert. Her musicianship, beyond the actual excellence of the songs and lyrics is quite stunning.
I also think its deadly how the arrangements from the album and the live arrangements are both excellent and offer an alternative, rather than just a watered down version. Especially Inflammatory Writ with the country fiddle was magnificent.
I couldn’t help but thinking about the guy on the right of the stage “My God, all those bulgarian tamboura lessons finally paid off!” but apart from that, it was an intense and wonderful concert. Her musicianship, beyond the actual excellence of the songs and lyrics is quite stunning.
I also think its deadly how the arrangements from the album and the live arrangements are both excellent and offer an alternative, rather than just a watered down version. Especially Inflammatory Writ with the country fiddle was magnificent.
the men wanted to marry her and she is childlike, what exactly does this say?
and yes, I am childish 🙂
the men wanted to marry her and she is childlike, what exactly does this say?
and yes, I am childish 🙂
I am so jealous
I am so jealous
It was a glorious gig alright, the atmosphere was amazing and the music every bit as good as I hoped for. Two slightly disarming things though. Firstly, why was the violinist dressed like a pornstar- I must have heard a dozen people outside the gig mentioning her using that exact term. Secondly, I must say that the way the percussionist spent the entire gig staring intently at Joanna was a bit odd. Surely I wasn’t the only person a bit freaked out by him. My sister saw her playing in London a few months back and at that gig Bill Callaghan came on for his vocal part at the end of ‘Only Skin’ and it was clear to all that the percussionist was trying his damnedest to out-sing Bill! Hiring your stalker- certainly a novel solution to a problem… Anyway, these are but minor points. Gig of the year so far.
It was a glorious gig alright, the atmosphere was amazing and the music every bit as good as I hoped for. Two slightly disarming things though. Firstly, why was the violinist dressed like a pornstar- I must have heard a dozen people outside the gig mentioning her using that exact term. Secondly, I must say that the way the percussionist spent the entire gig staring intently at Joanna was a bit odd. Surely I wasn’t the only person a bit freaked out by him. My sister saw her playing in London a few months back and at that gig Bill Callaghan came on for his vocal part at the end of ‘Only Skin’ and it was clear to all that the percussionist was trying his damnedest to out-sing Bill! Hiring your stalker- certainly a novel solution to a problem… Anyway, these are but minor points. Gig of the year so far.
Either I’m cracking up or you are.. I don’t remember a piano!
Either I’m cracking up or you are.. I don’t remember a piano!
ZOMFG!
wooops! Piano..obviously a mistake. 😉
ZOMFG!
wooops! Piano..obviously a mistake. 😉
Luke Clancy has really nice review of the gig here:
Luke Clancy has really nice review of the gig here:
Thank you for posting this; I am seeing Joanna in Copenhagen on Monday and I’ve been trying to find out what the likely set up will be for ages. Looks like this is it, and I will not be disappointed. Hope she plays for 2 hours also!
Excellent writing also; it is little wonder that you got an award for your blog.
Thank you for posting this; I am seeing Joanna in Copenhagen on Monday and I’ve been trying to find out what the likely set up will be for ages. Looks like this is it, and I will not be disappointed. Hope she plays for 2 hours also!
Excellent writing also; it is little wonder that you got an award for your blog.
Thanks Simpson,
Enjoy the show.. you WON’T be disappointed!
Thanks Simpson,
Enjoy the show.. you WON’T be disappointed!
thanks Nialler. i missed this concert. was dyin to go. this is exactly what i needed.
thanks Nialler. i missed this concert. was dyin to go. this is exactly what i needed.
It was a very good gig. Best thing I’ve been to in a while. Thanks for the videos.
It was a very good gig. Best thing I’ve been to in a while. Thanks for the videos.