Cat Power was once notorious for her stage fright, often abandoning shows if she felt uncomfortable. She has come a long way since then, facing the crowd at the Olympia with only a guitar and piano as her onstage accompaniment. Signs of anxiety did crop up, however – she often abruptly ended songs to adjust the amps, would make comments that left the audience unsure if she was talking to herself or to the crowd and at one point exited the stage because her hair was getting too sweaty. These things are almost expected at a Cat Power show now and in a way felt almost charming. But when she did calm down and play, Power exuded a strength over the course of more than 30 songs in two-and-a-half hours that would leave the entire audience in awe.
The Georgian artist kicked off her set on guitar, delving into a string of covers. Three songs in she shifted to the piano, not making clear whether it was intended or an improvisation due to her dissatisfaction with the sound quality. From there, Power played tracks from all eras of a career that now touches three decades, easing from 'Colors And Kids' to 'The Greatest' to 'Brave Liar'.
Obviously the biggest reactions came when she played the songs from her two best known albums, You Are Free and The Greatest, but even when she would shift into a cover or unreleased track, the audience gave her their undivided attention. Maybe it was the formality of the Olympia, something Power referenced several times during intervals, but there was a sense of reverence towards her, an understanding that this was a moment to savour.
Power's greatest contradiction is that for such a shy and reserved performer, her songs contain great emotional depth and personal reflection. It feels as though Power is feeling the audience out, unsure of how much she can bare to this room full of strangers. It felt less like a live show and more like a conversation with someone in a bar, where Power knows what she wants to say to you, but there's a hesitation out of a fear how you'll respond. As she exits the stage while handing out flowers to the crowd, she seems relieved and satisfied that the audience have understood her.