Review by Abby Foster @abbohmb
Photos by Jennie Book @jenniebookphotography

We arrived just after dark at the Masonic at the top of Nob Hill on October 10^th for An Evening With PJ Harvey, early enough that we didn’t have to rush straight to the pit, thanks to a movie star parking space. It was oddly quiet as we waited for the show to begin. The crowd was solidly Gen X, with a few millennials scattered amongst us: nearby, older dudes discussed the future of Guided By Voices, and a younger set worked collaboratively to keep their straw from slipping irretrievably into their shared cocktail.

With no opening act, the set began right at 8pm with “Prayer at the Gate,” the first track from Harvey’s new album, I Inside the Old Year Dying. Her voice was crisp and clear, effortless. I read in an interview that Harvey strives to always challenge herself to sing in a way she’s never sung before. If you go expecting to see her doing what you loved 30 years ago, you’ll get that, but also so much more. She didn’t miss a note, even as she flowed between octaves. And her band– John Parish, Jean-Marc Butty, Giovanni Ferrano, and James Johnston– smoothly supported her with rhythm and harmonies.

PJ Harvey is a performer. The set was beautiful, her costume subtle and unique, her movements engaging and theatrical. As she sang Send His Love to Me in the second half of the set, the crowd was almost completely still– not because they were disinterested but because they were enraptured. She followed with The Garden and some toes started tapping. But then came The Desperate Kingdom of Love and the room was silent– just PJ, her acoustic guitar, and that smooth easy voice.

Then she went back in time to some old favorites and the fans went wild. They came alive with “Man-Size”: calls of “We love you Polly!”, literally everyone around me singing and jumping. She ended the set with hits “Down By the Water” followed by “To Bring You My Love,” earning her flowers and a standing ovation. After a brief rest, the band returned for the encore: “C’mon Billy” and “White Chalk.” Through the course of the night, she played at least one track from every studio album, with the emphasis on her newest release, the impetus for the tour. I Inside the Old Year Dying was based loosely on her book of poetry “Orlam,” and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album. The seven year hiatus since The Hope Six Demolition Project was well worth the wait.

I was three months old when PJ Harvey was born, but ever since I first heard her music in 1992, she seemed older, wiser. More worldly. In addition to her inarguable talent, she is intriguing and unique. She continues to grow and challenge herself with every release, and in doing so, she gains new followers. My teenage daughter is currently trying to get tickets to see her final show in LA on Monday. For all the latest PJ Harvey tour and news information, visit www.pjharvey.net