Lilith Fair CT: Why Did Cat Power Apologize?
August 1, 2010 4 Comments
Lilith Fair, Hartford, CT.
August 1, 2010.
I admit, I know a few tunes by Cat Power that I like, but other than that have never dug deeper to learn any more about her. As the third act on the main stage for Lilith Fair, I was surprised that she had a very lethargic demeanor coming onto the stage (while the audience was energized by blaring Elton John recording) and that she was more dressed for camping out than performing to hundreds of fans. But then as the performance got underway, she slid and sauntered across the stage, from side to side and back again, mostly with her back facing out to the audience. Every once in awhile she stopped at looked at us or past us. I thought: So maybe she just doesn’t care and not caring is part of what draws you in. But she sounded good and I liked the music and I was disappointed when it ended, seemingly abruptly. She said nothing to us in the crowd, except at the end, “Sorry about the show.”
The people sitting in front of me started to discuss how shy she is – I’m not sure if a shy person could get on stage and move and sing like that. It’s all relative, I suppose. But if she were a solo headlining act, I would most certainly want to engage with her more than seeing the back of her checked shirt. And if we are to be engaged with the psyche behind the slithering, then a more more intimate venue would be a more highly appropriate space.
*Note: Based on the first comment, I felt I need to clarify: I became a fan at this show. There was a component to her inward performance that was a welcome relief from the hyper-engagement this show and all of the sponsors outside the mainstage gates seemed to demand. Cat Power was the only one that was not “pop” and not-corporate and that was a good thing.
I’m working on another post about the experience of Lilith. Will add a link to that page here when it’s done.
She was hard to photograph, slithering and ducking under red and blue lights, but here’s how it looked:
all photographs by Jeanette Palmer.
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i was at the show last night. i thought her performance was very good. so she’s not bubbly or talks to the audience like she’s your friend. i didn’t know her music, my daughter did, but i had read the negative reviews she got for being on the main stage at the fair. i wanted to her her music with an open mind. i agree having her at the festival may not have been the right choice – her music and her lack of stage presence may not have been what festival goers were looking for – but she is extremely talented and her music is very very good. i was embarrassed that at a festival that is supposed to be about acceptance of women and celebrating all types the audience would attack an artist personally. i was horrified when she actually apologized to the audience for the bad performance as she left the stage. it wasn’t a bad performance. the bad performance goes to the audience!!
Thank you for commenting! Even though I thought this might not be the right spot for her, I was into it. I was surprised when she apologized, I didn’t think she needed to do so. I actually became a fan at this show.
she was crying on that show, I saw it, and she was not really good. not looking at audience really and just shuffling her feet like a little kid who got in trouble for something.
people paid money to see her, she should have just gone later or not done it. I didnt know her before the show and I got no interest after. the rest was amazing. too bad some artists dropped out.
I believe she has serious anxiety issues and has canceled shows, and even a whole tour because of it. Same goes for Ryan Adams. Must be something to that ‘tortured artist’ persona that is the source of their amazing talent, yet with that, their debilitating anxiety.