2011

Joanna Newsom

Joanna Newsom (USA)

A relative newcomer to the industry, Joanna Newsom began recording in 2004 and has been kicking goals ever since.

Following a lineage of left-of-centre American female singer/songwriters, such as Tori Amos and more recently Regina Spektor, this beautiful young performer attracted a full house to Stage 1, who decided by a process of majority rules for a seated show.

Armed with piano and harp, and backed by drums, percussion, guitar and strings, she had her audience captivated with all with distinctive and honey sweet vocals that echoed across the crowd. Cutting a gorgeous figure on stage, she coaxed quirky twangs and velvety melodies from her harp as she performed a set of tracks from her repertoire of indie folk.

A beautiful performance from an equally beautiful performer, she was the calm before the storm of the Afro Celt Sound System.

Nicole Russo