Julia Holter

The wonderful Julia Holter was a big hit at Manchester Cathedral last night. I drove down from distant Cumbria via Liverpool to pick up a rocking chair, making it a 200+ mile journey and Julia made it entirely worthwhile. Her often free-form music cannot even loosely be called rock, but man don't she and her virtuoso band playing double bass, viola, sax and percussion, truly rock in the metaphorical sense. The set featured six of the pieces from her truly phenomenal award-winning album Have You In My Wilderness, including the magnificent Silhouette, and the beautifully disturbing Betsy On The Roof. Her takes on excerpts from her earliest albums were barely recognizable when compared with the originals, but utterly compelling, witnessing a true artist whose art is stunningly organic. She clearly loved the acoustics of the cathedral and so did we, her listeners, an appreciative audience with an extremely wide age-range. Sometimes billed as a multi-instrumentalist, over-modest Julia claims to only really play the keyboard and sing. Her performance was aurally and visually stunning, with the strong bond between her and the other musicians to the fore. All her four main albums are beautifully crafted, but experiencing her live for the first time added an extra dimension to my enjoyment of her music. A small gripe is that I would like to have heard her perform Night Song and How Long? and I very nearly chose to make another journey to Gateshead tonight, because I gather that she varies her set from night to night; in fact she made me wonder as she stood over the keyboard between songs, whether she was at that point deciding what to play next. Anyway I decided to stay in tonight and instead show my appreciation through the medium of this review, hoping that some of tonight's concert may turn up on YouTube. As you may gather, I've become something of a fan, and would recommend any waverers to go and see her while you can. And I haven't even mentioned her speculations on the motives of mice on Maxim's II; don't ask, actually do ask, it's on her album Loud City Song. I'm now considering a journey to Brighton next Monday...

I was really looking forward to seeing Julia Holter perform live. She has slowly become one of my favourite artists over the last year or so. Her latest album 'Loud City Song' is a career high with it's memerising vocal arrangements and uniquely original songwriting. I was particularly looking forward to seeing these songs being brought to live, backed by a full orchestra, S t a r g a z e, a Berlin based collective who were new to me.

Well, I really didn't think it possible, but the performance I witnessed surpased even my greatest hopes. Julia was fabulous. I was blown away by the intensity of the new compositions, and the magical chemistry that these very talented musicians had created. Incredibly they had only rehearsed on three occasions prior to the event. I find this astonishing as the timing was impecable. You would have thought they had been touring together for months. Everything flowed so naturally between the players, they were clearly enjoying every second of the event, as were the audience who were in rapture throughout.

What makes Julia Holter so special to me is her childlike wonder with the beauty of music. She is striving to create sounds that are new and wonderful and exciting, whilst also respecting the old methods of classic songwriitng along the way. I can't define her music, it is beyond bland definition or description. It is just quite simply divine, and I implore you to look her up if you get the chance. You will be in for a real treat!

Although Julia Holter has only been singing and performing professionally since 2011, she has already released 3 full length studio albums, that have all achieved critical acclaim. Holter has a musical background, training at Arts college, and therefore was set in good stead for the launch of her career.
Her songs buzz with tension, the powerful chords and melodies played by her band leave you hanging on the edge of your seat, longing for the narrative to unfold. Her stage presence is humbling and her suspended voice hangs in the air long after she’s finished singing. She sat at her stool and was chatting to the audience in the intimate venue like we were all old friends, she really showed her appreciation for everyone’s support, and thanked people countless times.
She played tracks from her older albums as well as her newer tracks, which added a really nice variety to the evening. She spoke between her songs enough to give the audience a little insight to her lyrics, but not too much to bore you. She’s got it sorted really, the perfect balance of ballads, with her more folky sound. She really encouraged us to sing along with some of the well known songs, which was a lovely touch.

Julia Holter's latest recording "Have You in my Wilderness" quickly found it's way from lavish praise and into many best of 2015 lists. I always enjoyed her recordings and loved how her band Julia Holter — keyboard, vocals
Dina Maccabee — viola, vocals
Corey Fogel — drums, vocals
Devin Hoff — bass
supported the new recording that left all of us wanting more; a great sign of a successful concert. All of this took place at The Great Hall on March 4th, 2016 to a sold out crowd. If you loved the new recording, then this would be the best possible compliment in support of it.

It would have been nice if there was a second show. I would have gone a second night. Julia's music is introspective, unique, wonderful, and a great departure from the everyday sounds. She mentioned she likes Toronto which hopefully means we could see her sooner than later. The concert was perfect beyond explanation! Perhaps, some of the older material could have been performed but that is hardly a complaint.

Extraordinary concert. I have enjoyed Julia Holter's recorded work, especially her latest 'breakthrough' album.
I wasn't prepared for this though. Superb, muscular renditions of these songs along with dips into her previous 'more difficult' work. Julia was playful, fun and generous and her band were extremely accomplished - showcased on a 10+ minute long 'Valdez'. She surprised everyone with a cover of 'Don't make me over', the Bacharach song, which proves she has a future as a lounge singer, should this particular venture fall through.

Difficult to recommend Julia highly enough.

Great singer, really loved the sound, the others as well, really good bass and drummer as well.
Julia looked as if she would be not really interested or enjoying the concert, however: I think it is how she is. She did play a good part. I hope people will not take wrong assumptions as if she would be not enjoying it, but pay attention on her play.
For me, I have listened too much to her album, my mistake, and she played almost only those from the new album (which is obvious, as it is her new album "tour").
Keep going on and make such music, the songs are really worth it.

Julia Holter played a thoughtful set with a great band at the Great Hall which included trumpet and bagpipes. Most of the presentation was selections from her latest effort. This was a great show that demonstrated musicality that is so approachable yet thought provoking.

I was very pleased with the show and as an added bonus, she signed LPs and assorted merchandise after the show which concluded around midnight. Five stars.

Well, Julia is great solo.

Julia Holter participating in a trio is not great...at all, which is very, very sad.

I mean, why is she even doing this, oh well, some questions are better left unanswered.

I still like here though - being among the audience of a very bad gig with her as a quasi-singer who is sometimes pushing some buttons will not change that. And she likes dogs too.

Cheers!

This was just a gorgeous performance in a great venue with a very respectful audience (for once). At times, the ethereal tipped over into the transcendent. I feel like the band would really benefit from a 5th member... Maybe a saxophonist. But that's barely a criticism. :)

This set was amazing. She played a broad range of songs from her 4 records, not just Have You in My Wilderness. The songs held up live really well. Her band was a 4-piece with her on keyboard, as well as a stand up bass, viola, and drums.