Electric Picnic Live Review: Tune-Yards

"Wow, there’s so many of you…", observed a typically modest Merrill Garbus before a packed and hugely appreciative Body & Soul Main Stage crowd.

Modesty only goes so far, for the voice behind tUnE-yArDs is as booming and powerful as ever, deftly switching between Nina Simone-esque declarative bursts and soothing sentiment. The New England native matches her band at every turn, the result equal parts frenetic and delicate.

It might seem a difficult balance but the tUnE-yArDs live experience is all about builds and emotive pay-offs. A plaintive run of 'Powa' is nothing short of astonishing, moving several revellers to near-tears. On the upbeat stomp front, you may not hear anything as vibrant as 'Water Fountain' all weekend. One punter who stayed to behind to catch the entirety of Pet Shop Boys' storming set (somewhat reluctantly abandoned by this writer) claimed to hear Garbus as he later strolled through the MindField. On the strength of her performance this evening, you believe him.