ShareAngel Olsen performing her My Woman Tour at Rock City Nottingham on Thursday 18th May 2017.
Images and Review by Kevin Cooper
For many Angel Olsen is best known as being the St Louis native who first emerged six years ago as a backing singer for the alternative country singer Bonnie Prince Billy, but last night it was her turn to perform to her own diehard fans at Rock City.
Walking out with her five piece suited and booted backing band, she took centre stage and immediately let her music do the talking. Even though she is primarily considered to be a folk singer, it was hard to pigeon hole her last night as she effortlessly bounced between blues, folk, indie and rock.
Touring to promote her third album, My Woman, written during a period of turbulence in her life, she showcased several new songs. With the majority of the set being strong there were however sections that lacked pace. This is in part due to the way that she writes and performs, starting the set off with slow, ethereal melodies and then building it up into raw power.
There was the show stopper Not Gonna Kill You and another new song, the upbeat Never Be Mine which showcased her heavy vibrato and sultry tone which sets her apart from most other performers. Sometimes she sounded like Siouxsie Sioux whilst looking like Bjork; none more so than when she sang Shut Up Kiss Me with its energy packed chorus which encouraged the crowd to attempt a sing along.
Although only 30, if you listen to her songs you would imagine a world weary singer with decades of heartbreak and philosophising under her belt, which is clearly evident in songs like Those Were The Days and the gorgeous Sister with its sprawling guitar solo.
Whilst still building up her fan base, she did herself lots of favours last night even though she was quite opinionated at times between songs.