PJ Harvey at the Greek Theatre, Oct, 14, 2024
It was only right that the first night in months that the greater Los Angeles area had experienced “cold” — OK, mid- to upper-60s, perhaps light sweater weather — was the same night PJ Harvey and her band headlined a sold-out Greek Theatre as the final stop on her first U.S. tour in seven years.
Also appropriate was the setting, the gorgeous Greek nestled within the forested thicket of Griffith Park.
It was here that the artist otherwise known as Polly Jean Harvey transfixed the audience for the entirety of a 25-song set tracing her disparate eras, from her buzzy early ’90s breakout all the way through her Grammy-nominated 2023 effort, I Inside the Old Year Dying.
This most recent record was the inspiration behind the tour, Harvey and her band — led by longtime collaborator John Parish — playing its 12 tracks in their entirety before a second set of other material spanning decades.
Because of that album’s inspiration (Orlam, Harvey’s book of poetry released in 2022 and based in the nearly forgotten dialect of Dorset and with references to Elvis Presley, Shakespeare, and the Bible) and its unorthodox composition — as well as Harvey’s well-earned reputation as an artist who eschews predictability in favor of chasing an ever-inspiring muse — this wasn’t a “concert” in the traditional sense. Rather, this was very much a stage production, complete with onstage props, chairs in which Harvey sat for a handful of songs, a sequence in which she and the band were illuminated in stark shadows on the screen behind them, and so on.
In all, it made for an enthralling, transfixing experience, though the crowd was more visibly energized by the second set and more classic material such as “50ft Queenie,” “Man Size,” “Dress” and “Down By the Water.”
Beginning the show with the 12 songs of I Inside the Old Year Dying was a daring choice, but one that set the tone for the night. Most of the crowd — whether fully clued-in with Harvey’s recent album or not — sat mesmerized by the proceedings, strings and folk instruments paired with the songs’ rich arrangements and field recordings in a captivating production.
Clad in a dress she later explained was highlighted by pieces of original artwork drawn on by herself and members of the band, Harvey bounded about the stage for material new and old, committing every last bit of energy in her body to the show.
PJ Harvey at the Greek Theatre, Oct, 14, 2024
Her voice was a marvel. Having not experienced a PJ Harvey concert before, this reviewer was endlessly impressed with her vocals throughout the show, her words emanating with a special grace and the whole vibe of the show one of haunting beauty.
Harvey currently has some Australian and Japanese live dates lined up for 2025, after this Los Angeles show wrapped a weeks-long run of her current tour. Whatever’s next beyond the initial ’25 dates mains to be seen, but there’s little doubt it will be something special.
“I’ve been waiting for this show since seventh grade,” said one excited younger fan to her friends in the final minutes before the lights dimmed and the band took the stage, and it was the general tone of the night — one of anticipatory excitement and appreciation of a masterful artist and performer in her element.
PJ Harvey at the Greek Theatre, Oct, 14, 2024
That speaks to the space that Harvey continues to build for herself with each chapter of her chameleonic career. It’s a legacy that continues to enrapture and thrill listeners the world over, and one that keeps both parties (artist and audience) on their toes, maybe unsure exactly of what’s coming next … but eager to dive in headfirst nonetheless.
PJ Harvey set list, Oct. 14, 2024:
I Inside the Old Year Dying
Prayer at the Gate
Autumn Term
Lwonesome Tonight
Seem an I
The Nether-Edge
I Inside the Old Year Dying
All Souls
A Child’s Question, August
I Inside the Old I Dying
August
A Child’s Question, July
A Noiseless Noise
Set 2
The Colour of the Earth
The Glorious Land
The Words That Maketh Murder
50ft Queenie
Black Hearted Love
The Garden
The Desperate Kingdom of Love
Man-Size
Dress
Down by the Water
To Bring You My Love
Encore
C’mon Billy
White Chalk
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