Newly signed Sub Pop artist Weyes Blood is anything but new. She has been forging her unique-yet-nostalgic sound across multiple albums over the years, but on her latest offering Titanic Rising, her magic has been truly revealed.
I had a chance to see Weyes Blood & co. perform 3 times so far this year, and here’s my take:
The Tractor Tavern - May 2019
To a sold out crowd earlier this year at the Tractor Tavern, Seattle was washed in the spell of Weyes Blood’s intricate melodies of this new album (and a few old songs as well). It’s true that the song structures are works of art in their own right, but Natalie Mering’s (aka Weyes Blood) voice is the true stunner of her sets.
The thing about nostalgia is it’s relative to each person. Weyes Blood’s voice and melodies likely sound familiar to me because I was an 80s baby, with parents who were listening music akin to The Carpenters and Fleetwood Mac. Those are the sounds that remind me of my childhood, as a result. Weyes Blood channels much of the energy and harmonies from both outfits, but weaves some modern technology into the mix of her work as well.
KEXP instudio - May 2019
The stark white suit Weyes Blood wears is an iconic piece of this tour. I was told as much, as she warmed up her vocals at the KEXP instudio I photographed - she asked me to please wait to document with photos until after she had changed into the stylish number.
It makes sense, the crisp, pure suit absorbs what is cast onto it. For her song “Movies,” a projection of blue and green lights are displayed boldly across the white fabric.
KEXP’s DJ Abbie.
Likely custom made, the intricate bead detailing in off white is stunning. Specifically, the slit along each elbow is highly stylized.
Check out the full performance on KEXP, here (you might even spot me in the wide shots!):
Concerts at the Mural - August 2019
Each August, KEXP teams up with the Seattle Center to put on the Concerts at the Mural series, where curated free performances appear in front of the large mural next to the Space Needle on Fridays. I was delighted to hear I’d be getting to see Weyes Blood live again so soon - who played almost a full set, sitting at about 12 different songs.
All of the hits from Titanic Rising made an appearance at the mural set. In contrast to her show at the Tractor Tavern, she did treat us to a new cover. This time, she shared her rendition of “A Whiter Shade of Pale” of Procol Harum fame. Back in May, Weyes Blood had brought a cover of “God Only Knows” by the Beach Boys.
Of course, the Seattle Center performance included “Movies,” the song I just cannot get enough of. Even in the daylight, the projector truly danced atop her staple white outfit. This song is my summer song, my song of the year, and could be the song of my decade. Again, nostalgia is subjective, and so is preference, but the album Titanic Rising, and the song “Movies” has touched me in the depths of my subconscious. It’s the song I didn’t know I needed.
I implore you to do everything you can to see Weyes Blood’s music live!
