Berlin concert review
So, I can't sleep after this performance, so I can use this energy to write down my fresh thoughts. Of course, this is an opinion, which will always be subjective.
Sofia and the team did a fantastic job.
Before I go into depth about the performance itself, I wanna say that the lighting team did a FANTASTIC JOB. The lights were INCREDIBLE. Cues and switches to the tea.
Opener:
The opener was Seb Lowe, with his (?) violinist Katy (I think was her name). His writing style is smart, sarcastic, direct and witty. (From what I hear so far). He aligns very much with the humanist and communal values that shine through with Sofias work. Both criticise the ruling class; men.
For Seb it's the failure of the politic system (he's from the UK, but addresses global topics), for Sofia the failure of humanity.
Seb's guitar and Katy's violin were a great pairing, as well as their voices. Seb's has great range and I appreciated his changing cadences and flows whenever the songs needed them. He has a guaranteed follow in my book!
Main Act:
When I am asked on what concert I'm going to, I try to describe Sofia; to me, she is a haunting banshee that swears revenge and tells stories of lost souls and ghosts, old and new. Some of her own doing.
This description is to be understood as honorific, and exactly what the audience got this evening.
It's I think what we all appreciate about her: the wrath, wrapped in delicate prose and powerful strings.
She knows how to play: the instruments, the crowd, the stage.
I noticed that she uses water to wet her hair right before the stage and I'll call this henceforth the "banshee baptism", it's then when she becomes the character of women's wrath.
Before, she has a sweet and funny demeanor, but then she kicks into gear and delivers. As you know, she uses her face and body, even her hair, to me it's not only a concert, but partially performance art. I love it.
With a wry smile, I heard the fans scream when she lifts her clothing, which is ironic because they scream when she sings "I don't want to seduce you fuckface", so there are - at least on some receiving ends - mixed signals.
A song that makes me cry every time I hear it is "Evergreen Soldier", and Sofia was smart to bring two support people on the stage to hug her in the end. That's something I've seen in videos and now live; Sofia hugs like a human. Like a best friend.
I am personally so touched that after I can only imagine what she went through given some other titles in her work, that she kept her humanity, her spirituality, her warmth. And I'm happy that she is so smart and chooses people with her on the stage she's comfortable with to hug after this gut-wrenching song that makes me, a woman of 40 years, cry every fucking time.
Sofia, I don't know if you read this, but this song is a masterpiece and I'm grateful that you were able to find beauty and strength in that incredible pain. I'm so sorry it never happened for the two of you, but you can be proud of what you created for yourself instead. It's my favourite song, also at the concert. It's so, so human. You are an incredible poet and I respect your lyricism deeply.
Altogether, this concert was a lot of fun. Her voice is INCREDIBLE live, so much power but also rawness and tiny specks of lights, when she chooses to use it that way. She has humor, is jn good spirits and has put a lot of effort into mastering her crafts.
Whenever you have the chance to see her live, do it. I don't live in Berlin, but took three days off work and travelled 400km to see her.
I hope she will release her surprise song "Coupon for Boba" one day.
These are my musings, halfway to midnight.