Amanda Palmer
19th February 2017
The Cabana, Napier, New Zealand
Review by Ivy Austen. Photography by Alexander Hallag.
She may not be the killing type but singer-songwriter and New York Times bestselling author Amanda Palmer sure did kill at an intimate New Zealand show, An Evening with Amanda Palmer, held at The Cabana in Napier last night.
Accompanied on stage only by a chair that held a glass of red wine, Palmer’s charisma and talent carried the show in what can only be described as a brief snapshot into the life of an ever-evolving queen of punk cabaret. From the moment she took to the stage, decked in a sleek, halter-neck jumpsuit, Palmer cast an intimate spell on her audience; most of whom had travelled long distances to spend the evening with her.
She began the night just as anyone would, singing Ella Fitzgerald’s ‘Makin Whoopee’ at the top of her lungs while playing ukelele and standing on a wine barrel. It was at this moment that the audience began a journey with Palmer through the ages of her career; getting a taste of every style her talent executes with piano, ukulele and voice.
Several years had passed since Palmer released new music; giving her the unique opportunity to tour and perform without having to promote new material. While Palmer opened with several covers including Radiohead’s ‘Creep’, she soon drew back to her own material, showcasing songs from her 2012 album Theatre is Evil ‘The Killing Type’ and ‘The Bed Song’ with voice and piano only.
Having recently recorded an acoustic version of the Theatre is Evil, ‘Piano is Evil’, the stripped-back style of her music perfectly fit The Cabana’s intimate setting. With honest elegance she conveyed to the audience her experiences in having a child, losing a best friend to cancer, receiving public hatred and progressing in her career despite it all.
It was clear Palmer continues to muse her life’s experiences through song; as if what she feels, hears and sees is all destined for a greater purpose. Even if that purpose is to make just one person in the audience feel like they’re not alone.
Her performance was raw, regal and most importantly human.
The night also saw her pay tribute to her former musical duo The Dresden Dolls in theatrical performances of ‘Coin Operated Boy’ and ‘Astronaut’; taking advantage of dramatic pauses to leave the audience murmuring for an encore once she left the stage; only to return shortly after.
Palmer ended the evening just as she’d started; armed with her voice and ukulele only. She finished with an elegant bow after announcing her intentions to return with her husband, English author Neil Gaiman, another time for an Art Deco-themed rendezvous; an event Palmer’s fans will no doubt look forward as they await her return.
Were you there at The Cabana to witness this intimate show? Or have you seen Amanda Palmer perform somewhere else? Tell me about it in the comments below!
Setlist:
- Makin Whoopee
- Creep
- In My Mind
- Astronaut
- Missed Me
- The Killing Type
- A Mother’s Confession
- Cat’s In The Cradle
- The Bed Song
- The Vegemite
- Coin Operated Boy
- Bigger On The Inside
- New Zealand Ukulele Anthem
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