The Garden, a PJ Harvey Discussion Site

Setlist


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
Written On The Forehead
To Talk To You
Dollar, Dollar
The Devil
The Wheel
The Ministry Of Social Affairs
50ft Queenie
Down By The Water
To Bring You My Love
River Anacostia

Emcore:
Highway 61 Revisited
is This Desire?

Fantastic show, great venue, packed house, amazing sound quality. The performances of the songs were top shelf, with one song going into another one with ease. The band are liked a regimented army orchestra, with Polly the conductor.

The crowd were very enthusiastic, might have had something to do with Polly's outfit. Black sheer singlet, leather micro-mini skirt and short black boots. Nice feather head wear as well.

She looked great, that skirt would not have fitted around one of my thighs. She sure is slim.

PJ sang fantastically well, both higher and lower register with the occasional blow on the saxophone.

All the songs got a great reception, with her older ones getting the louder applause. And my compliments to the band members and the touring party, they were amazing.

If only she could have gone longer, 95 minutes, no support act. I wish she could have gone to 11 (PM) or more. Alas it was only 10.15 pm.

I heard the next night was superb as well, even knowing the set list.

Thank you Polly.

ct4spinner wrote: I heard the next night was superb as well, even knowing the set list.

It was. I've just flown back from Brisbane and am heading to see Nick Cave (what a weekend, eh?). But will share photos, etc from last night (2nd show) soon!

http://scenestr.com.au/news/music/pj-ha ... w-20170130

PJ Harvey @ The Tivoli Theatre Review
Written by Sarah Ponturo
Monday, 30 January 2017 17:25
Published in Music News
| Tagged under
pj harvey
Live Review
Brisbane
Rock


On a warm, January night (27 January) in Brisbane, the day after Australia Day on what should be a sleepy recovery for most, The Tivoli embraces a completely sold out and ready-to-go crowd who have fronted up for their long-time Queenie, Polly Jean Harvey.

PJ Harvey’s most recent album, and the premise for her current tour, 'The Hope Six Demolition Project', draws from several journeys undertaken by Harvey, who spent time in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Washington D.C. over a four-year period.


Her vast catalogue of work and diverse vocal and instrumental style have changed theme and direction time after time, through so many beautiful stories so passionately and poetically told.

PJ Harvey’s latest album proves that she is a master of her talent, a poet and a storyteller of the world, painting pictures of darkness and light, love and emotion, with strong, political force and grace.

PJ Harvey has always been a definitive force in rock music and witnessing her perfection live on stage is a now reminder of her absolute and unquestionable talent. The show begins in darkness, and backed by a glorious nine-piece male band, made up of extraordinary musicians and indisputable masters of their instruments, including long-time friend and Bad Seed Mick Harvey and life-long collaborator John Parish.

Her band walk on stage in procession to the sound of a marching beat and somewhere on stage the beautiful Polly Jean is hiding in the shadows, playing a brooding and deeply resonant saxophone. As she steps from the darkness into the light the first song begins to play, 'Chain Of Keys', setting the tone for what is to be an emotionally beautiful, dark and powerful live music performance.

The performance is dominated by the new album and features glimpses of 'Let England Shake', 'To Bring You My Love' and 'White Chalk'. Many well-known songs are avoided and an unexpected lack of PJ on guitar was overcome by powerful brass, percussion and fiercely powerful vocals.

PJ conducts her stage with open hands like a princess wearing her usual black and leather with feathers in her hair, and somehow looking almost exactly the way that she did in in '90s; stunning and effortlessly feminine.

Her vocal style has clearly evolved from her earlier albums and she pierces the room with her extraordinarily strong and controlled voice. The sound is unmistakably sexy and dark, leading into brighter melodies and backing vocals performed by her band singing in unison in a somewhat demonic style.

Her music is beautiful and poetic and every word is full of emotion, light and shade, vulnerability and feminine conviction. Her voice is reflective of a traditional folk song-style, while her band bring a darker vocal and instrumental component; my first thought was a modern day Kate Bush fused with Bowie’s 'Black Star' album.

'Ministry Of Social Affairs' from the latest album is a spectacular highlight of the show, as all ears turn to the saxophone and all of its glory. The beat is made up of a dirty and bluesy repetition, while three saxophones including one for PJ, destroy the stage with a screaming, dark, sexy and disjointed melody.

The song is overtly manic and wild and showcases the band’s extraordinary talent. PJ wraps up the night, and the second last show of her Australia tour, with an encore performance 'Highway 61 Revisited' and 'Is This Desire'; her beautiful vocals soaring through The Tivoli and the audience growing more energised and perfectly in love, as the show draws to a climatic close.

more pics here https://www.flickr.com/photos/sbphoto/s ... 5977608534

Some photos including a couple of my own from the concert - 27 January 2017.