Angel Olsen @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (May 13, 2014)

Last night Angel Olsen played a haunting set at a sold out show at Music Hall of Williamsburg. It was my first time catching Olsen live, and it certainly won’t be the last. Her latest album Burn Your Fire for No Witness has had a few months to sink in and seeing her live has solidified it as one of the best releases of the year so far.

Nashville 4-piece Promised Land Sound opened the show, would have probably stolen the show opening for anyone else. They were that good. Bringing an alt-country set live can be hit and miss for some bands, but not Promised Land Sound. They were very tight live, as seasoned as can be. They reminded me a bit of both Dr. Dog and Dawes, and there was of course some Neil Young thrown in there as well.

I was very impressed by them, and it didn’t surprise me to find out that Jack White is a big fan on these guys, and even put out a 7″ of theirs on his very own Third Man Records. Their debut self-titled album is out now via Paradise of Bachelors. I hope to catch them the next time they’re in town.

There was a hushed excitement in the air moments before Angel Olsen stepped on stage that was shared within the crowd. As a first timer to an Angel Olsen show, I had an idea of what to expect, but was still very curious as to how it would all go down. She came out with her full band and played an impressive set that had the entire audience in awe, stuck in pure admiration of the talent that we got to watch perform for us. In between songs she joked around with the crowd, but when she was performing she was locked in, staring out seemingly in the same direction for the entire lengths of a song, until it was over. There’s something effective about her ability to change vocals range, giving a raw and passionate tone to her performance. It was this, along with her clear focus, that struck a chord with me. It was interesting to hear the throbbing jangle of the undeniably awesome “Forgiven/Forgotten” or ” Hi-Five” paired up against some of her more tender moments, which were soon to come.

For the final three songs the band left her side and Olsen played by herself. She performed enchanting versions of ” Iota” “White Fire” and “May As Well” to send us off. It was a heartbreaking way to end the show, but even more heartbreaking that the show was over, as she didn’t come out for an encore. The bassist teased us by kicking the door open at one point, but they never did come back, despite the crowds best efforts on cheering her back on stage. Even so, no one could feel cheated as Olsen performance was nothing short of amazing.

Below you can find photos of both Angel Olsen and Promised Land Sound along with a newly released video of Angel performing “High & Wild” live in London: