Sharon Van Etten at Pabst Theater
I thought it was a great show, but I’m not sure that the A.V. Club reviewer was really there. Why mention 90s female singer songwriters and not mention Ani DiFranco — especially after Van Etten spoke about being inspired by her on the stage.
I really couldn’t disagree with the review more. The backing band was great, particularly those sparse baselines. And Laurel Sprengelmeyer, while powerful as Little Scream, struggled with the harmonies.
Seeing Van Etten play live for the first time, I was surprised by the juxtaposition of her moody songs and peppy stage banter. She’s so tiny, looks 20, and sings 40.
Everything she sings on turns to my new favorite song. I loved her on the Antler’s Hospice before I knew who she was and her backing vocals on The National’s “Think You Can Wait” single help make that one of the best songs of the year. Hopefully there will be a Bon Iver collaboration next.
I’ve worn a hole in my Epic mp3s. The next SVE album can’t come soon enough for me.
