Having had a sneaky preview in West London a few weeks earlier, expectations were high for Katie Pruitt's appearance and she certainly did not disappoint. This time round she would be supported by a three piece band who would add an extra dimension to her overall sound.
Opening with "Mantras", the title track of her current album, Katie would still be on acoustic guitar, with her band sympathetically fleshing out the song from the version we had seen earlier. In a quite blistering set it was then on to the magnificence of "Grace Has A Gun", Katie's guitar supported by a repeating electric guitar line. The power packed narrative was brought to the fore and the crowd encouraged to join in the chanting section of the chorus - marvelous stuff.
One of the few artists at the festival with something to say - her intro to "White Lies, White Jesus & You" was spot on and gathered a warm round of applause in agreement. She would switch to an electric guitar for this one and at times this twin attack would turn it into something of a rocker.
Lightening the mood with a "Fun one", "Expectations" would reveal its Fleetwood Mac influences, no bad thing, it would see Katie at her most animated, bending her head down sending her hair flying forward, and going to stand on the drum riser to play, before jumping off. An unexpected and probably the only Nirvana cover of the festival came with "All Apologies" with its "Everyone Is Gay" line! getting a smile from the stage.
Katie would start "Wishful Thinking" deliberately picking out the notes on her guitar with her thumb. It would build to a big climax with Katie repeatedly singing "You were never mine"
As if by magic, the sun was now shining brightly on this star of a performer, picking the right time to bathe her in rays for "Leading Actress". With it's slower paced intro, this was to lead into Katie's most considered vocal of the set - achingly brilliant on this most deeply personal song.
There was a jazz like feel to "Out Of The Blue" which would see Katie throw in her own bluesy guitar solo. There was one glorious extended note in the final crescendo where she would tip her head, and eyes would sort of roll back as she entered a zone to find hold and project that final note.
The final tunes would see "Worst Case Scenario" about crippling anxiety before the drum beat would signal the start to the closing song "Loving Her" - a final exemplary rendition in a set choc full of them - it has taken nearly six years for #TEAMw21 to reacquaint ourselves with Katie Pruitt - we surely won't leave the gap so long next time..
コメント