by Cristina Moreno, New York Rock Examiner
I have a confession to make: I’m a little in love with Amanda Palmer.
A few weeks ago, I barely considered myself a fan. I knew that she was one half of The Dresden Dolls and that her music was a sort of punk-cabaret explosion, but I didn’t quite understand what the big deal was. Frankly, I was a little scared of her. Thankfully, a good friend showed me the light. She sent me a link to Palmer’s video for her song, “Oasis” and I was sold. I headed down to Webster Hall on Friday night thinking that I’d see something special but I had no idea just how hard my mind was about to be blown.
Amanda Palmer is the type of performer that all others should aspire to be—bold, raw, touching, and fearless. She pounds on her keyboard, playing with her entire body, stomping and shaking, completely focused on the music. Even in her quiet moments, her confidence and strength shine through and it’s hard to to pay attention to anything else.
Her stage show is a wild mix of rehearsed theatrics and bursts of spontaneity. Palmer, along with the amazing Australian performance art troupe The Danger Ensemble, create a series of overwhelmingly effective vignettes for almost every song. Some are sad and moving while others shock and exhilarate. The players utilize every inch of space, from the stage to the floor, making everyone a part of the production. While the piece has choreographed elements, it never feels stagnant. Palmer and the ensemble feed off the energy the audience provides, running with whatever surprise comes up along the way. I spent the night feeling delighted, astonished, and unbelievably inspired.
It’s a little baffling to have such a startlingly pure experience with an artist and then see how little regard the mainstream crowd seems to have for her work, but I guess that’s the point. If everyone understood it, the effect would be lost. Still, for those of us lucky enough to have been a part of it, Amanda Palmer’s performance at Webster Hall will be something that none of us will ever forget.
Amanda Palmer’s new album, Who Killed Amanda Palmer, is available online and in stores. Click here for more photographs from her Webster Hall performance.
I love you for writing this!! I fell in love with Dresden Dolls about 4-5 years ago. I heard them by a chance on the radio and I immediatley went out and bought their first disc. It blew my friggin’ mind!!
I went out a few weeks later and bought the live disc then, by chance, they came to Detroit and I HAD to go see them. I met Brian outside the venue as he was walking back and forth to the tour bus and the building.
Their live performance was really something to behold. You really can’t describe it. It was great! They opened up playing a White Stripes song in dedication to that band and the city they were in (Detroit) which had the audience’s total attention. But the twist they threw in was Brian was dressed as Meg White, and playing drums, and Amanda was Jack. Cool eh?
This was a real good post!! I had no idea anyone else out there cared about this cutting edge music.
You’re so blogging, I’m so blogging: were likely to see each other around for a bit.