Saturday 27/02/11 PJ Harvey @ Troxy, London

PJ Harvey takes to the stage in London adorned in a black dress made of enough material to wrap her up five times, her head sprouting a series of black feathers. Clutching tightly to an autoharp, the bouncing rhythm of ‘Let England Shake’ begins. Fans glimpse on as Polly Jean opens her window beckoning her fans in with her first notes.

As her new album ‘Let England Shake’ shows; PJ Harvey does not write autobiographical songs. The mediations on war and what it is to British which make up the album, and indeed the bulk of tonight’s set, do not reveal anything about Harvey herself. Anyone hoping for ‘An Audience With…’ style meeting may have left disappointed. Barely acknowledging the crowd throughout, but to thank one of many fans who screamed their love from the rafters, Harvey has removed any sense of self from her music, instead playing the role of omniscient narrator. This may frustrate those who believe Harvey to be the raw, primal rock star from the 1990’s but it’s worth noting, that probably was not truly her either. Masks and personas can act as an emotional glass ceiling but Harvey has something so very few artists have in the modern age - mystique.

‘Let England Shake’ holds up incredibly well in the live arena, with songs such as ‘Written on the Forehead’ and ‘The Last Living Rose’ already feeling like well worn classics. This instant familiarity aids a performance that lacks a personal touch but more than makes up for it with a cold-banishing warmth of soul. Harvey’s new songs, despite the ability weigh them down with narrative and political contexts, remain pleasingly  basic. ‘The Words That Maketh Murder’ allows Harvey to utilise her higher register to beautiful effect. Hard to pin down and keen to skitter, the voice in which Harvey addresses the audience for large sections of the show is far removed from the lusty and raw drawl of the past but, as with everything tonight, feels considered and essential to the overall message being portrayed.

Said message is delivered in a vessel that has no room for excess weight and as a result, old favourites are left at the wayside. Whilst fans may have killed to hear the likes of ‘This Is Love’ or ‘A Place Called Home’ it feels disrespectful to throw toys out of what has been a very well catered pram. Especially when ‘Meet Ze Monsta’ truly makes England shake late on.

Attempts to dissect PJ Harvey concerts and look for ‘the real Polly’ feel somewhat futile. All that is needed is the knowledge that for two hours, a rare trip into an alternate and fascinating world was offered up. We suggest you try grabbing a look while you can.