Concert Review: Sharon Van Etten – Powerstation June 5, 2019

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Sharon Van Etten returned to Auckland last night, a very different performer, a very different artist than she was four years ago.

Four years ago Sharon played at the Kings Arms. She began that show almost tentatively with Afraid Of Nothing, accompanying herself on guitar while Heather Woods Broderick sang harmonies and played keys.

Since then, Sharon has gone through a few changes. She moved away from music, did some acting, had a baby.

When she returned to the studio, her sound was noticeably different. Gone were the gently-strummed guitars, replaced by vintage keyboards, such as the Jupiter 4, which was also the title of her opening number.

Theevening’s introductory music…Portishead’s Biscuit…was a clue that something had changed. A throbbing synth got the show started followed by Sharon’s intense vocal. She punctuated the beats of the song with thrusting arms and by the time she got to the chorus of “Baby, baby, baby, I’ve been searching for you”, I was hooked.

Eventually the keyboards took on a howling sound that enveloped Van Etten’s voice. It was transfixing, and when the song ended I realized I would have been happy if that was the end of the show. It was that good.

Fortunately, there was more…much more.

Comeback Kid came on louder, more aggressive. Sharon singing in a deep, assertive voice, again, gesticulating as the music built around her, the growling synths accelerating into a psycho-disco groove.

Van Etten’s band consists of the loyal Heather Woods Broderick, again on keyboards and harmonies along with Charles Damski, also on keyboards and occasional electric guitar, bassist Devin Hoff and Jorge Balbi on drums.

Their presence and the sound they made seemed to push Van Etten to become a more emotive singer than her records would suggest. On No One’s Easy To Love, she stretched out the “Eeeesy” seemingly channelling Roy Orbison.

After the first three numbers, Sharon stopped to chat and immediately a female voice called out, “I fuckin’ love you, bitch!”.

That love was reciprocated with humour and grace by Sharon as she went on to assure fans that she would play some older songs.

“I can still play guitar”, she said, strapping hers on before playing One Day from 2010’s Epic.

It was interesting witness how her demeanour changed while playing the lighter, folkier material from her past.

I enjoyed the brief trip backward, but I was happy when she returned to Remind Me Tomorrow’s Memorial Day.

I’ll be the first to admit that my heart sinks a little when I hear that an artist has begun to experiment with synths and electronica. I’m a guitar-loving guy. But Sharon Van Etten has made me into a believer.

These songs, played by this band and sung by a newly-recharged Van Etten are powerful, emotive and a lot of fun to listen to.

The show seemed to whiz by and before I knew it she was saying her goodbyes, but not until she had performed a beautiful solo version of Sinead O’Connor’s Black Boys On Mopeds, followed by a version of Seventeen that can only be described as cathartic.

Closing the set with a hymn-like Stay, Sharon and the band returned for three more numbers…a pensive I Told You Everything followed by Serpents, a tune from 2012’s Tramp that came in sounding like a buzzsaw.

It got very loud, and then quiet for the final song of the evening, Love More.

A stunning show from an artist at the top of her game.

Marty Duda

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Chris Zwaagdyk including a few shots of opener Michael Morley of The Dead C:

Sharon Van Etten set list:

  1. Jupiter 4
  2. Comeback Kid
  3. No One’s Easy To Love
  4. One Day
  5. Tarifa
  6. Memorial Day
  7. You Shadow
  8. Malibou
  9. Hands
  10. Black Boys On Mopeds
  11. Seventeen
  12. Every Time The Sun Comes Up
  13. Stay
  14. I Told You Everything
  15. Serpents
  16. Love More

 

 

Marty Duda
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