In the historic Roman amphitheater of Fourvières, PJ Harvey delivered a commanding performance as part of Lyon's renowned Nuits de Fourvière festival in June 2016. The show was a powerful, theatrical presentation of her then-new album, "The Hope Six Demolition Project," released just a couple of months prior. This album, born from Harvey's travels to Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Washington, D.C., translated into a live experience that was both musically intricate and politically charged.
Backed by a formidable nine-piece band that included longtime collaborators like John Parish and Mick Harvey, the stage was a maximalist wall of sound. With two drum kits, a brass section, and multiple keyboards and guitars, the ensemble functioned with military precision. PJ Harvey herself, often playing the saxophone, led the procession-like performance. The concert was less a casual rock show and more a piece of high-concept theatre, with a dramatic, percussive sound that filled the ancient venue.
The setlist was heavily focused on the new material, featuring intense, brooding tracks like "The Ministry of Defence" and "The Wheel." These songs were interwoven with reimagined versions of classics from her catalog, including powerful renditions of "50ft Queenie" and "Down by the Water," creating a performance that was both intellectually stimulating and raw in its energy. The show was a testament to Harvey's constant artistic evolution, presenting a darker, edgier, and utterly electrifying side of one of music's most vital performers.