http://www.contactmusic.com/primavera-s ... ive-reviewIt hits 10.30pm, and PJ Harvey is going to be hitting the stage any moment. An all-encompassing drumbeat commands my complete attention as a band with PJ Harvey tucked in the middle walk in formation onto stage. As a fan of PJ Harvey since I was a child and never seeing any live material of her before, I was incredibly nervous as to what to expect from her live. However, with an extended introduction into the first track 'Chain of Keys', I was immediately transfixed with her stage presence as she slowly walked forward, blaring her saxophone in a single note that wailed like an alarm before coming to the centre mic and singing with dominance and grace.
Upon reflection, PJ Harvey's stage presence and singular performance was the most actualised of all the acts we came across over the weekend. Her relatively small stature felt gargantuan in her command and authoritative nature on stage. The chords for the title track of 'Let England Shake' arrive to a greatly appreciative crowd and the lights brighten up into a stark white. Harvey uses the shadows on stage to morph into a new character and floats across the stage like a spectre, all while foreshadowing the downfall of Britain. It's a sensational performance which continues with the war-trodden hit 'The Words That Maketh Murder'. After an extended applause, the band collect themselves for 'The Glorious Land' with its haunting use of bugle trumpets which open and interrupt the track at certain points, making it a stark and formidable moment in her performance.
Towards the end of their set, it breaks into a shrill and intense take on '50ft Queenie' which sets pockets of die hard fans around the crowd into a state of hysteria. It ends with Harvey revealing a slight grin as she takes a deep breath and sings the line "I lost my heart..." which is instantly roared at. Her hit 'Down By The Water' is moody and intense, the shrill violins build up a tension which commands you to watch her every move. She carries on this mood with 'To Bring You My Love' and ends her set with 'River Anacostia'. The final headliner of the festival gracefully bows alongside her band and exits the stage. Although she may not the best overall act of the weekend, PJ Harvey is undoubtedly the greatest solo performance of Primavera Sound I have the chance to witness.
PJ Harvey absolutely dominated. Her professionalism and enigmatic stage presence was in a league of its own, and is a testament as to why she is one of the most important solo artists to come out of England. An utterly entrancing performance.