After a six-year hiatus from releasing any albums of original songs, indie singer/songwriter Chan Marshall, AKA Cat Power, came back last year with her highest-charting album yet, Sun. The album shows her taking on a different approach to her music; it consists primarily of electronic instruments with a greater presence of drums, something that’s not really apparent on most of her other records. While in the studio she appears to be going in different directions, her solo performances show that she can still work in an intimate setting.
Performing two sets last night at the Grog Shop, Marshall took the audience through an erratic, deeply personal solo performance as she swapped her normal backing band for guitar and an upright piano. The subdued audience listened attentively to her beautiful songs woven around charm, wit and heartache.
Despite the delayed start of the show, which ultimately began three hours after the originally scheduled time, the patient crowd warmly welcomed her to the stage. She picked up her electric guitar, and the red flannel-clad songstress opened the show with a bluesy number interrupted by her simultaneously thanking and apologizing to the crowd. This informal atmosphere set the course for the first hour and a half set of the night (she was supposed to play two separate shows but the late start meant that the early show simply segued into the late show).
Openly appreciative of the audience’s patience, she then went into “Hate,” a track from her seminal album The Greatest. Throughout the night, the songs were performed in a slightly disjointed fashion; sometimes blending into one another and other times cut short for quiet conversation with the crowd. However, as she performed, there was a quiet reverence amongst the listeners. The show had its moments as Marshall crooned “The Greatest” and gave a haunting solo piano performance on “Names.”
Nico Turner, who’s opened for Cat Power throughout her tour, had her performance cut because of the late start. However, when Marshall went to perform “Metal Heart,” she brought out Turner to back her up on guitar. Free of playing an instrument, she pantomimed the lyrics; harkening back to her early days when she was experimenting more as a performance artist. Though the Grog was packed nearly to capacity, the venue felt small and close. It felt like we walked into her living room to watch a private, informal performance.
This article appears in Nov 20-26, 2013.
You have to be joking…it was a complete shitshow. She was was wasted and should have been pulled off stage. I am in awe of the fact that you are trying to spin it as anything but pathetic.
I agree with the above comment we left early, the show was a train wreck, during the first 4 songs more and more people walked towards the bar and drank away the fact they had just wasted $28 to watch a drugged out performer
I personally was touched that she performed for these undeserving fans at all. I’ll take a late, drugged up CAT POWER over anyone else touring these days. People who think that Cat Power came to town wasted on jrugz to take our money and move on to the next show are UNINFORMED poosers!!!
we left early, as did every one else I know that was there independently of us. her voice is amazing but she was a mess.
It was a strange night, to be sure. But anyone following Cat Power over the years knows to expect some erratic moments.
Don’t assume she’s drugged up or drunk. I’ve seen her interviewed and she’s all over the map when she’s sober.
Last night she was nervous, manic, strange presence on stage. It didn’t always make sense. She rambled, started and stopped songs. But the voice is there, and it’s beautiful.
If people had stopped playing with their phones & talking at the bar, they might have witnessed a flawed, uncomfortable, but weirdly magical performance.
You don’t go to a Cat Power show expecting things to go well, that’s part of the charm. You know it will probably veer off the tracks. Things will get rough. But you stick it out for the moments when she shines.
I was planning on going to the early show. She didn’t take the stage until about 10. She was still on stage talking with her fans when I left around 2:30. The show had a rocky start, and she was definitely hard to comprehend from the back of the room. Moving closer to the stage completely changed the experience. The closer the better!
When she asked the people in the back to “needle nose” their way to the front of the stage, I jumped at the opportunity, right into the front row, and then she asked the people in front to sit on the stage. That was an amazing seat.
It turned into a completely different show at that point. Charming, interactive, funny. Most of the people who were disengaged and expecting her to play the hits had left by then. Good riddance. I feel like I got to know a performer that night, and I can’t wait for her to come back to town.
The Who show at the Riverfront Coliseum where eleven people died was better. Pearl Jam at the Roskilde Festival was a better show, and nine people died there. Damageplan at the Alrosa Villa, the one where Dimebag Darrell was fuckin’ shot and killed by a crazed fan was better. Worst. Concert. Ever. Actually, that’s too kind. Worst. Thing. Ever. I’ve never seen anything like this. Train wreck. Totally unprofessional. Her music is forever tainted. I don’t think that I can call myself a fan anymore.
Not sure what Cat Power show YOU were at last night, Mr. Stoops, but what I witnessed was more like a mental patient performing at an open mic. I am a longtime fan and yes, back in the day, Chan Marshall struggled to perform due to intense anxiety and depression. She would start crying on stage, and would cut shows short, all of the time; but she finally got help for that, and was a different performer by the time The Greatest came out. I saw her 3 years ago, and she was perfectly normal, delightful, and gracious. She played her songs well, knew the lyrics, didn’t screw up on the guitar again and again and again, and didn’t ramble about nonsensical things between songs. What I witnessed last night, however, was the stereotype of a musician out of control. She looked horrible, she played horribly, and the way she presented herself was simply embarrassing. She screwed the Grog Shop with her late arrival, and I totally felt for Kathy and crew, who were left to deal with the aftermath. Part way into the first set, people were asking for their money back. Everyone I spoke to was confused, and talking about what a weird show it was. Many people left early, including myself and my boyfriend, who has NEVER left a show early. I, for one, was really excited to see Cat Power SOLO, and aside from being personally disappointed, the whole thing made me worry about her. What she did last night was completely irresponsible and unprofessional. She was definitely drugged up, and in no way acting like a “normal” person. I do hope she can clean herself up, and at least make more albums. Maybe someday Cleveland will get to see her play solo the RIGHT way… but maybe not. No matter what happens, I’m glad I have my Cat Power vinyl. She can’t screw THAT up.
Thank you everyone for these comments I don’t have time to write. Worst show I’ve seen this year and worst I can remember in a long time. Horrible!
Started three hours after the originally scheduled time? It was supposed to start at 6:45. It didn’t start until 10:45. How is that three hours? You need to work on your math. Heck, it was four wasted hours and then she started without a sound check. Her guitar was out of tune. Then she forget how to play her own songs. She wasn’t coherent. She even stopped mid-way through some of her songs and spoke total jibberish. I left work early, spent $60 on tickets, and wasted approximately 7 hours of time just to walk out in absolute disgust during her “performance.” She was clearly on some drug. My best guess is heroin. In a way it was sad. She needs rehab. To say anything positive about that show completely negates Scene’s credibility of concert reviews.
Do a Google search for Cat Power’s performance at the Old Town School of Folk Music last night, in Chicago, and you’ll see an accurate review of what Cleveland’s show was like. Their photographer got some up close (pretty scary) photos of her, too, and WOW does she look AWFUL. Chan Marshall truly needs some professional help, and should not put herself out into the world in that state, ever again.
I’ve never seen anyone have to apologize so much for not being able to play their own music. And the half hour chat about growing crops in Detroit was pretty terrible.
I too saw CAT POWER a few years back on the Jukebox tour in DC and she killed it – confident, poised, professional and focused. Wednesday night was another story. Early on Marshall was erratic and seemed confused, but as the night went on – and after the majority of the crowd walked out – things got noticeably better. No, it wasn’t the polished show I was hoping for, but the spontaneity, the banter, the wit, and the improv songs were a delight. As Stoops notes, it was like hanging out with Chan in her living room, which is weird, but cool. And her voice, no matter what she’s singing, is always golden.
I do, however, agree that she needs some serious healing, as it was obvious that something is terribly wrong with Ms. Marshall. I can’t tell if she has some mental illness, or if she’s on drugs, or is exhausted (I don’t think she sleeps much), or if her heart is still broken from her the breakup over a year ago. It’s likely a combination of all four. But it’s also worth noting that Marshall is naturally intense, and even when she was at a healthy place a few years back, she was still quirky and talked to herself.
All that being stated, I must confess that I enjoyed the show, particularly the last 90 minutes. She played from 10:00pm until they shut her down at 2:15am. I never thought I’d live to see the day when Chan Marshall played longer than Bruce Springsteen, but it happened.
What a one sided Pollyana review of the worst concert I have ever attended. You and her adoring fans are enabling and in denial. That night Cat Power revealed herself to be a mess with little respect for the fans “she loves”. She needs to learn to keep to schedules….I have seen plenty of wasted/stoned/strung out artists who manage to meet the core responsibilities of musician a hell of lot better then Chan Marshall did on 11/20/13 in Cleveland. As a person that records concerts, I rarely speak while documenting. Cat Power’s lateness and onstage behavior/banter made me heckle her marring my recording. She pissed me off. So talented, so wasted, afraid that soon we will be so sad.
I hope she gets well. I was there from beginning to end and I loved it.
I just saw her play in Portland, Oregon, and the show was also erratic and informal, which is exactly what I expected. She came on a bit late and took her time getting started, but then opened with one of my favorite songs of hers. She would sometimes stop playing for awhile to banter with the audience, and which point I’d usually take time to get a drink or go to the restroom. Then I’d return and she’d play yet another one of my favorite songs of hers. I really think it is all about expectations. I completely expected an erratic show, and that’s what I got: two and half hours of Chan Marshall playing great songs. So I was satisfied. I saw her last fall with her full band, and it was a totally different style of show. I think people who plan to see her play solo like this should check their expectations at the door or stay home.