I’m still reeling from last night’s fantastically stunning Fiona Apple show at the Hollywood Palladium. I became a huge fan from the very start of her music career back in 1996 after she released her debut album Tidal, she has always been one of my personal favorites, someone who cuts right to the heart and soul of it all, this girl does not mess around. Fiona wears her humanity proudly on her sleeve, she’s never been one to shy away from exposing her own vulnerability, insecurities and issues (after coming on about thirty-minutes late, she candidly confessed it was all due to nerves), that’s what makes her music so heartfelt, honest and authentic. I’ve been lucky enough to have seen her twice before (my first show back in 2000 was her infamous meltdown at NYC’s Roseland, the second was a make-up concert at the Beacon), yet I really thought last night was truly incredible. Let’s not forget, she took a long break from music and performing (her last release was 2005’s Extraordinary Machine), so her show was a rare treat, to be treasured and celebrated. Thankfully she played a bunch of her old tracks, mixed in with some new ones from her latest album, The Idler Wheel …, she never sounded better, I was seriously impressed by the strength and conviction of her voice, she doesn’t merely sing songs, she feels them on an intense level, I was emotionally right by her side, cheering her on throughout the entire show, along with the rest of the crowd. Thanks to my pals Joey for snapping great pictures, and Raven for taking the video of “Not About Love,” which you’ll find below.
SETLIST: Fiona Apple / Hollywood Palladium / July 29, 2012
• Fast As You Can
• On the Bound
• Shadowboxer
• Paper Bag
• Anything We Want
• Get Gone
• Sleep to Dream
• Extraordinary Machine
• Werewolf
• Tymps (The Sick in the Head Song)
• Daredevil
• I Know
• Every Single Night
• Criminal
• Carrion
• Not About Love
• It’s Only Make Believe (Conway Twitty)
