Featured image: Josie Hunt
Indie folk songwriter Angel Olsen performs a sentimental set full of mischief and intimacy at Manchester’s iconic Albert Hall on her Big Time tour.
Angel Olsen will probably never perform a ‘greatest hits’ type set, and she is all the better for it. Every tour shines the spotlight on her new material, respecting herself for the generationally talented songwriter she is. So prolific is her output, it is easy to see why she gets bored of playing the same old crowd pleasers.
Big Time finds the multi genre spanning songwriter in the most ‘country and western’ corner she’s ever been, prioritising sentimental lyricism over the indie rock cathartic tunes found on her most popularly revered album My Woman. This genre is arguably where Angel’s voice sounds most at home. Her signature yodel that sets her apart from other indie vocalists is deep rooted in the country tradition. Guitar string bending and drum brushes abound, for many, country music can be quite an inaccessible genre. But Olsen’s ability to cherry pick between the interrelated traditions of folk, blues and country delivers a beautifully detailed and imaginative night of storytelling.
Angel more than once showed her mischievous side, luring the audience into thinking they were being treated to a newly written song only to bulldoze through her hit single ‘Shut Up Kiss Me’. We quickly found the funny side of the cruel trick, as being treated to the hit single was a rarity we treasured dearly for those few minutes, sandwiched between a quieter collection of new songs.
Angel signed off with her signature sing-a-long encore of ‘Without You’, popularised by Harry Nilson, a song that everybody seems to know the words to. A nod to fellow song writing greats Pete Ham and Tom Evans of Badfinger, the cover felt like a tribute to songwriters everywhere, continuing the traditions of over a century of storytelling.
For some, Big Time may seem like a backwards step in Angel Olsen’s career as the album divides fans. But even to her critics, her new songs are a sign that the prolific songwriter has no intention of slowing up. The Big Time tour solidifies Angel Olsen’s status as one of the world’s greatest living songwriters.
Gallery by Josie Hunt
Featured image and gallery: Lucy Elson-Whittaker Toots and the Maytals, fronted by Leba ‘Toots’ Hibbert, make a stop in Manchester at New Century Hall, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Reggae Got Soul. First on stage are Manchester-based seven-piece band The High Committee. Despite only forming late last year, they play with remarkable confidence, quickly overcoming…
Featured image and gallery: Sally Stretch It’s one of the hottest nights of the year, and Manchester’s Deaf Institute is packed wall to wall, buzzing with anticipation. The night is unfolding with unreleased tunes, fan favourites, and the kind of crowd connection that signals a bright future for the Teesside artist. Pat Hamilton opens the…
Featured image and gallery: Sam Holmes A sold-out Friday night headline show in sunny Manchester is just another show of force for Dead Pony as they tour the release of their newest EP ‘Eat My Dust’. The Glasgow-based nu-metal/pop-punk outfit have built a reputation for themselves as one of the most exciting new bands out…
Featured image and gallery: Lucy Elson-Whittaker Fcukers headline a sold-out show at Manchester’s New Century Hall, in support of their long-awaited debut album, ‘ö’. Opening the night are Sydney-based Sleepazoid, whose hazy, atmospheric sound offers a sharp contrast to the headliners’ explosive energy. Their set feels cinematic and dream-like, serving as both a striking opener…
Leave a reply