Photo Gallery: Brandi Carlile at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island

Brassneck | July 2, 2019

It’s such a privilege when giving the opportunity to experience an artist so completely immersed in their trade. Those attending Saturday night’s Brandi Carlile performance at Northerly Island were privy to just such a moment. The Washington State native, who’s now entering the second decade of her career, was the most nominated artist at the 2018 Grammy awards and has seen her stock rise along with the newly deserved attention. It became immediately obvious that the whole of Carlile wasn’t taking a single moment for granted.

With a cracking band behind her (some of which have been with her for the entirety of her ride), Carlile charmed with her wit, storytelling, craft, infectious smile and a catalogue packed with introspective songwriting. But when she unleashed her spectacularly expressive voice, she immediately owned everyone. The instrument was never used for flash. It’s simply the most valuable weapon in her arsenal that she employs to sell the colorful material. To the uninitiated, it may seem like aural gymnastics. But to see her completely inhabit the feels in a live setting, she invests in each song genuinely while exuding undiluted exuberance.

Words and photos by Curt Baran