Cat Power

This is the first time I have seen Cat Power perform live. It was the most memorable and inspirational performance I have ever experienced.

Chan Marshall performed solo. She seemed strangely uncomfortable chatting with the audience and appeared to find it difficult to articulate her thoughts. This was in stark contrast to the effortless clarity of her vocals - the repeated transition was captivating.

Every song was stripped bare, including an almost unrecognisable version of Silent Machine. The entire performance was remarkable and it's intensity almost heart-braking at times. It is rare to experience an artist singing for their own sake as much as to reach the audience. Occasionally it felt like the crowd were intruding, like the songs momentarily became a cry for help from their apparently triumphant place of empathy and understanding. Such a selfless and deep personal commitment to music as a means of communicating is an inspiration. There was nothing fake or shallow here; only a fearless desire to express and connect.

I would strongly recommend that anyone with an interest in music see Chan Marshall perform live. It will transform your appreciation of her recorded work and it will be an experience that may actually change your life.

Chan Marshall, AKA Cat Power, is one of my favorite artists. I have seen her live multiple times and have never left feeling disappointed. She has a tremendous stage presence, alternating between a quiet, melodic whisper, and a fireball of energy.

I first saw her after the release of "You Are Free" in 2003. I loved the album but I was not sure what kind of concert she would give. Little did I know that I would love her live show more than I loved the album. She sang her heart out on stage for over two hours at a small venue in Lexington, KY, and made me fall in love with her.

Her performance was simple, with no major props on stage, but all eyes were glued to her and she belted out almost every song on the new album, plus several that I assumed were from her previous releases.

I have made it a point to go to every show of hers that is within driving distance since that first show. Her shows after the release of "The Greatest" were calmer and more subdued, which focused more on her beautiful voice and musical skills.

Cat Power is, easily, one of the best female rock acts performing at the moment. If you’re a fan of indie rock, you have to do yourself a favor and catch at least one of her shows. You will not leave dissatisfied.

Charlyn Marie Marshall better known by her stage name Cat Power has had a turbulent personal life yet these experiences appear to have fuelled the emotive material of her albums. After taking a short time away from the live circuit after facing her drinking demons head on, she now performs with an indescribable sophistication as she weaves the sonar structure of new album 'Sun'. It is without a doubt her most commercial and critical successful release in a number of years and this approval seems to have gifted Cat Power with a renewed confidence onstage.

The electro tones of the music keeps the pace a lot easier than the slower guitar led tracks and the audience seem consistently engaged. She is a very honest artist and talks about her past experiences without fear of judgement. As many Cat Power fans will have followed her for many years, they will understand what she has been through and seem even prouder to see her performing to full capacity on 'Cherokee' and 'Ruin'. It would seem Charlyn is still a relatively under appreciated artist yet with an expanding following and discography that will last the time, it is an exciting time for her.

I've been a fan since What Would The Community, she has a special place in my heart because I shared her music with a few people I loved. So, after reading a lot of negative reviews about her previous concerts I was a bit scared of being disappointed. Luckily the concert was one of the best I did this year, including with Sufjan Stevens. She chained songs after songs, some old, some new, all beautiful. A guitar, a piano, and her amazing voice was plenty. When she felt strong enough, she shared sweet stories about her motherhood, drinking tea. It's not easy to sing along because she's changing rhythm and sometimes lyrics, but I really didn't mind. I let out some sighs of pleasure and nostalgia. The audience was super nice as well, we sheered up a lot for her, and she was very sweet and simple. No encore. After two hours, she just said goodbye, got down from the stage, shook some hands, and left.

This was the second time that I've seen Cat Power at the Roseland. The first time, I sat in the balcony. It was a disappointing show, given that you could hardly hear the vocals. A number of times, the artist had to motion to the sound person to up the levels. This time, I watched from the floor and it couldn't have been a more different experience. It was transcendent. Just a great performance all around. Wonderful song choices, and the lighting promoted the atmosphere. The band was tighter than I remember them being the last time I saw them. I wish that it could have gone on all night.

An amazing performance by Chan Marshall and her band! Chan sounded incredible and her band was just awesome. The show was very uplifting even though the material is dark and haunting. I have waited 20 years to see Cat Power, and was way beyond my expectations. There were several times where I was giddy with excitement and shivers running up and down my spine. Her stage presence was huge, and if I ever get a chance to see her again, I'll be a lucky guy!

I don’t see the point of going to a concert where the main singer is kept in total darkness the entire show, l, has a fit about cockroaches (what the hell was that) and leaves as soon as she’s finished with her set. I had hope, it was my 3rd time “seeing” her, but there won’t be a 4th. I am sure that there are fans out there who find her shows brilliant, for the others be warned, there won’t be a show.

Churches are a wonderful setting for Cat Power. Performing alone, she returned to a lot of her older songs and put on a very melancholy show, though cheered everybody up in a finale of whispered ramblings.
For a solo performance it's lovely to see Cat Power in tiny venues. At St John's in Hackney, I left wishing she'd brought a band and played the more cheerful songs she's been writing lately.

One never knows quite what to expect at a Cat Power gig but tonight at the Roundhouse she was wonderful; relaxed and clearly enjoying herself in front of an adoring crowd. Her warm, smokey voice seems to get even better with age if that’s possible.
Oh. And a shout out to the very lovely woman from Glasgow who saw CP at King Tuts all those years ago.

Maybe it’s just me, but I found it disappointing. Not once did I get carried away by the performance or atmosphere. Her sung words were quite indistinguishable and 2 or 3 times the resonance of the guitar with the speaker or something made the sound simply unbearable. Fortunately, the lovely summer evening made me forget it all quickly.