PHOTOS & REVIEW: PJ HARVEY @ MGM MUSIC HALL 9/18

Photography by Gwyneth Moe

Review by Tegan Retzer

I had the fortune of seeing PJ Harvey live at MGM Music Hall on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. The general admission section was packed, but I was perfectly positioned in the mezzanine to witness Harvey’s expressive movements from above. Her presence on stage was both commanding and otherworldly, and she brought a unique theatrical element that merged musical performance with performance art. 

Harvey took the stage promptly at 8:01 PM with no openers. I was impressed with her punctuality; it’s common for artists to take the stage 15-20 minutes late, but she was able to deliver a spectacular show exactly on time. Accompanied by a stellar band that included longtime collaborator John Parish, as well as James Johnston, Giovanni Ferrario, and Jean-Marc Butty, she began by performing her latest album, “I Inside the Old Year Dying.” Dressed in a striking flowing white garment, Harvey’s graceful arm gestures and closed eyes evoked a ritualistic atmosphere. She rarely spoke (only to express gratitude and later to introduce the band), and between songs, it was clear that she is a more soft-spoken and shy person despite having a loud stage presence.

This is Harvey’s first album in seven years, and the record’s poetic lyrics, inspired by Dorset dialect, highlight her depth as a songwriter. The title song reads like folklore with its lines about waiting for beech buds, frogs, and hedgehogs. My friend noted the impact of her recent poetry collection, “Orlam,” on the album. Harvey has a way of painting a vivid picture for her audience through her thoughts on nature and the human experience. The crowd was initially hushed and focused, but they still erupted in applause after each song. It was clear that, like myself, they appreciated the intricate storytelling in her music.

After performing songs off of that album, she left the stage, and the band took over with a powerful rendition of “The Colour of the Earth” as Harvey changed into a more sleek white dress paired with metallic boots. When she returned, she moved through a selection of older songs. Highlights included “The Garden,” “Angelene,” and “The Desperate Kingdom of Love.”

The crowd came alive, gently swaying to the music, but it was her iconic hits that truly ignited the room. Songs like “Man-Size,” “Dress,” and “Down by the Water” brought a new energy to the venue, while the closing track, “To Bring You My Love,” unleashed a raw intensity reminiscent of her early days.

The night felt vulnerable with Harvey revealing her relationship with change and growth through her music. Her show captured that balance of intimate yet grand. The blend of new material and beloved classics demonstrated her continued evolution as an artist.

Through research, I found that Harvey has had a passion for visual art and poetry as well as music. Her performance reflected that of a multifaceted artist. Her ability to take charge of the stage with both her voice and presence left the crowd captivated. It takes a special kind of talent to hold an audience through a number of slow-burning tracks before hitting them with an exhilarating, hit-filled finale. In my mind, PJ Harvey has always been a legend in the world of music, but this performance has only further solidified that belief.