In early 2012, fresh from winning her second Mercury Prize for the monumental album 'Let England Shake', PJ Harvey brought her globally acclaimed tour to Australia for a series of special theatre performances. This recording captures her potent and theatrical show at the State Theatre as part of the Sydney Festival, a performance that showcased a pivotal moment in her artistic evolution.
Stepping away from the raw, guitar-driven rock of her earlier work, Harvey commands the stage primarily with an autoharp, her presence both stark and captivating. The concert is a focused, atmospheric rendition of 'Let England Shake', an album lauded for its profound exploration of conflict and English history. The songs are presented with a haunting precision, creating an immersive and emotionally charged experience for the audience.
She is backed by a formidable band of longtime collaborators, including Mick Harvey and John Parish, who help build the intricate and powerful soundscape that defined this era of her music. The performance is less a conventional rock show and more a piece of musical theatre, deliberate and deeply resonant. This document of the Sydney Festival concert is a compelling look at a singular artist at the height of her creative powers, delivering a masterful and unforgettable performance.