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I’ve written much about Sharon Van Etten in recent weeks, but somehow I’ve yet to review her recent show at Johnny Brenda’s. I was really looking forward to seeing this show after falling in love with her 2010 album epic and wondering how I’d missed out on hearing her earlier since she’s recorded both of her albums here in Philadelphia and has thus played live here often as well.
Regardless, she came on and just completely dominated from the onset, wowing the packed house with a set comprised mostly of epic showstoppers like “A Crime,” “Love More” (originally recorded for the WXPN and Weathervane Music-sponsored Shaking Through series) and “Don’t Do It”. Still, there was time for a few songs from her 2009 debut Because I Was in Love such as the amazing “Consolation Prize” and Tornado”, so I can’t imagine that too many folks went home disappointed even if some just wanted to hear the older stuff.
Opener Julianna Barwick couldn’t have been more different from Van Etten in that instead of singing and playing guitar while backed by a bassist and drummer, she’s a solo act who gets up there with just her vocals and a keyboard and loops her angelic voice to create a sensation not unlike listening to Cocteau Twins‘ Liz Fraser, Kate Bush or even Enya at times. I’d never seen anyone pull off a performance like that, so I really have to credit Barwick here.
The above photo was taken by Kirstie Shanley on July 16, 2010 at the Pitchfork Music Festival in Union Park in Chicago. It is used with permission. You can see the original photo here.
