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PJ Harvey (born October 9, 1969) is the stage name of seminal British indie/alternative rock musician Polly Jean Harvey, who through steady critically-acclaimed releases has become of the one most revered artists in the genre, hailing from Bridport, Dorset, England.
Born in the coastal town of Bridport, Dorset, Polly Jean Harvey picked up her first instrument in her early teens, the saxophone. She later joined the octet instrumental group, Bologne, during her time in school before becoming one half of the folk duo, the Polekats. It wasn’t until Harvey was 19 however that the singer began to grow in recognition with the Bristol-based group, Automatic Dlamini. It was here Harvey met John Parish and Rob Ellis who would subsequently prove to have a huge influence on the musician’s future output. After recording the album “Here Catch, Shouted His Father” towards the tail-end of 1989 and early 1990, Harvey left the group and formed her own alongside Ellis and Oliver.
Initially a trio, PJ Harvey recorded their debut album “Dry” in 1991 for under $5,000, and played their first show at a bowling alley at Charmoith Village Hall. The band’s debut single, “Dress”, was released by Too Pure Records in October 2001, drawing instant and widespread critical acclaim. Following the release PJ Harvey was invited to record a live radio session for John Peel, and recorded the tracks “Oh, My Lover”, “Victory”, “Sheela-Na-Gig”, and “Water”. PJ Harvey’s debut album was subsequently released in February 1992. Highlighting Harvey’s tremblingly candid lyrics, and raw heavy-hitting guitar, the musician was later named Rolling Stone’s Best Songwriter and Best New Female Singer in late 1992.
After singing with Island Records in mid-1992, the trio enlisted the help of producer Steve Albini to aid the recording of their sophomore “Rid of Me”. Featuring a punk-infused cover of Bob Dylan’s “Highway 61 Revisited”, the full-length was released in May 1993. In support of the record, PJ Harvey embarked on an extensive tour of the UK, before heading to the U.S. in the summer, which is where tensions stated to rise between members. Following a final tour as a trio in support of U2 in August, the group announced it had disbanded with Polly Harvey continuing as a solo artist.
Her debut solo album, “To Bring You My Love”, arrived in February 1995 extolled by critics, and followed by her last full-length of the millennium “Is This Desire?” in 1998. Marked by themes of love and affection, and winning the 2001 Mercury Prize, PJ Harvey’s fifth studio album “Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea” was released in October 2000. Cementing the multi-instrumentalist’s position as an uncompromising, wildly-talented, high-integrity music maker, the record was seen as her finest to date. The studio album “Uh Huh Her” appeared in 2004 in which Harvey played every instrument on the album, followed by “White Chalk” in 2007. Winning her second Mercury Prize, PJ Harvey’s eighth studio album “Let England Shake” was released in February 2011.
Read moreI had never heard that many songs by PJ Harvey when I saw her live. A friend of mine had an extra ticket, and she was like, "You should come. You won't regret this." She played a few PJ Harvey songs for me before we left, and I thought "Ok, I guess I'll go." I had nothing else to do that night so I went, and my life was forever changed! PJ Harvey is this quirky, indie rock, folk rock singer whose magic doesn't translate until you see them live.
When I saw her in 2012, it was a few months after her album "Let England Shake." She had a long black feather in her hair and a magnetic personality. Her voice had this fanciful energetic quality to it that echoed into the entire crowd, which was pretty amazing coming from such a tiny singer.
One of the reasons, I think she's so awesome as a singer live is because she's a great improvisational singer. No rendition is exactly the same as the other, I could tell.
She yodels; she plays the autoharp; she sings earnestly. I've never seen a singer, who so completely trusts her audience, and when I say trust I mean she trusted all of us to hear the music, to appreciate it without the added distractions that contemporary singers add to their performances.
She sang from the heart. She sang her truth, and the entire experience was magical, mellow and contemplative. I like to go to performances, where I can just chill and feel the whole world around me transported to me through music. She moved me profoundly.
PJ Harvey is one of Britain's most critically acclaimed artists having won the Mercury Prize award twice. She also holds an MBE for her services to music, so clearly she is rather adored in her homeland. One would not imagine her as a festival act, yet when she stepped onto the Bestival stage following the release of 'Let England Shake' the crowd erupted in cheers.
An eccentric through and through, the multi-instrumentalist made sure the crowd were continuously involved within the show. Constant interaction kept the growing number of revellers engaged as Harvey ran through a sort of career smorgasbord setlist for those who were not familiar with her work. Performing a bold rendition of the title track from 'Let England Shake', she swiftly moved on to earlier material such as 'The Devil'.
Her ability as an artist is applaudable and there is no real variation from the high quality of work in this variable setlist. The emotive way in which PJ delivers her personal sonnets is captivating as you imagine it must be exhausting to continuously lay your soul bare onstage for thousands to see.
Unfortunately, I found the pictures to be the best of the show. Second was PJ's music, but I wasn't blown away by it... It's a pity to say so, but I feel like she stood still in her style, and I feel no surprise as with 'This is England'.
Finally, the American woman leading the show annoyed me with both her pace and her ongoing praise, which felt like a forced feeding to me. I want to like things myself, because I judge them myself, not because someone else repeatedly talks about how great, unique, and special they are.
In general, I was disappointed by the whole show, not the least because listening to PJ's poetry would have been nicer to experience, read by someone else.
I feel really sorry to express my disappointment, but when I would have loved the show, I would have told so as well...
I think this was one of her best performances i've ever seen. PJ Harevey was superb! The band behind her are extraordinary and i loved that she individually introduced them half way through the set. Her voice was exquisite and it was fascinating to see how she dealt with a couple of awkward situations, making everything more intimate and special (the night we saw her) And her outfit was wonderful. I think Brixton Academy is the perfect setting for this kind of gig, particularly the sound system and I’m quite fussy. Absolutely LOVED the show
The majority of the songs she sang were from her last two albums, but she also did some of her classics such as 50 Ft Queenie, Down By The Water, When Under Ether... The band was so perfect and PJ was so full of energy. It was such a dynamic gig, she also stated herself that it was 'wonderful' to be in Istanbul. The audience was so pleased by the performance, almost every song was sung by hundreds. Even after the encore 'Near the Memorials of Vietnam and Lincoln' the crowd didn't dissolve, they eagerly clapped, cheered and asked for more.
What a fabulous show by a fabulous artist and band. the Shrine is magnificent venue; sort of a cross between a factory and a giant European church with great acoustics.
we got in a little late because parking near USC is impossible. but once in we were in heaven.
my favorite was To bring you my love. the best. and by the way, it plays on Peaky Blinders.
dont know her work as well and i should and no music critic but she was in great voice, the band amazing.
well worth going
they need to sell merch!
Energetic. If you like PJs most recent work,The Hope Six Demolition Project and Let England Shake, this concert pleased. John Parish was on hand along with about 6 additional band members, supplying lots of percussion and guitar. PJ was in fine singing form. Show went about an hour and 10 minutes and then a 10 minute encore. Only minor disappointments were the venue and the lack of more early material to balance the new material.
She is perhaps my favourite artist of all time, love all her records, and saw her last time she was in amsterdam. unfortunally her last record of 2016 only has one good track, in my opinion. In her concerts she plays 95% of the time the songs from her last album, then one or maybe two of older songs, therefore I would not recommend to go to her 2016 tour. Such a pity... hope next album is awesome again.
An absolutely mesmerising performance.
Performance is definitely the correct word, the show was the most perfect Edinburgh Festival evening I can remember.
Largely featuring music from the Hope Six Demolition Project but with a selection of classics from her back catalogue, the audience could not help but be entranced.
The only regret we had was that we were not able to go both evenings.
Fabulous and distant, always in charge of everything. A great band, two hours of concert and several interesting moments. The set-list, is exactly the same of the whole tour, includes songs like 'To Bring You My Love', 'Donw By The Water' and 'Shame' in addition to the themes of his last albums. She is unique.
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