Sharon Van Etten @ Edinburgh Leith Theatre

Sharon Van Etten’s performance as part of the Edinburgh International Festival was a sonically powerful, emotionally affecting and ultimately uplifting show. At times moving and reflective, yet with moments that were triumphant and joyful, Van Etten maintained an emotional intensity throughout. A powerhouse of lyrical and vocal ability and a natural performer, she had the audience of the Leith Theatre in the palm of her hand.

Opening with Jupiter 4, she crafted an elegant set, largely featuring songs from 2019’s Remind Me Tomorrow, occasionally weaving in older favourites. Recent hits like Seventeen and No One’s Easy To Love were standout moments, alongside 2014’s Every Time The Sun Comes Up, which she sang bathed in the golden glow of the lights. In her newer songs which lean heavily on electronic sounds and synthesiser lines from her band, she looked just as at home dancing on the stage with just a microphone as she did with her signature red guitar.

Van Etten’s band expertly provided the pulsing synth lines of newer songs and the folkier riffs of her older music. Left onstage alone towards the end, she played a stripped back and soulful rendition of Sunshine on Leith, much to the delight of the crowd. Her enjoyment was clear to see, the audience hanging on her every word.

She seemed to cast a spell on the audience, who remained hushed while she spoke and joked in-between songs. The effect of this at the front of the theatre was mesmerising, though some of this may have been lost at the back and in the upper galleries. Between the songs, many with themes of hurt and sadness, she was happy and witty with the audience, claiming to be in a good place in her life which came across clearly. There was an optimism and energy which underpinned the performance.

Perhaps one of the most remarkable parts of the show was down to her ability as a vocalist. At times she sang standing far back from the microphone yet projected the lyrics with power and resonance.

Support earlier in the evening came from Van Etten’s friend and band-member Heather Woods-Broderick, who set up the show perfectly with her own brand of reflective, meditative music. As part of Van Etten’s band, her backing vocals added a velvety dimension to the tracks during the main set.

There is something for everyone to connect to in Van Etten’s music, whether through her lyrics or the sweeping melodies. The audience were at times moved, even heartbroken and yet uplifted. There were moments in which you could have heard a pin drop, with the audience hanging onto her every word. There is no doubt that this performance marked a continuation in the rise of Sharon Van Etten, and we can only hope for opportunities to see her perform again like this in the future.