There were very few of the sultry flourishes of Tirzah's earlier hits like Make It Up at the Forum for RISING.
RISING’s modus operandi centers on new music, art, and performance, making Tirzah’s highly experimental and unconventional live show at the Forum a fitting highlight. Her performance heavily featured her latest release, “trip9love…???”—an album title as eclectic as her music. The RnB roots of her sound were present but concealed behind layers of industrial soundscapes.
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Tirzah’s live performance was a testament to her minimalistic production and intimate vocal style. Performing essentially alone, she was accompanied by two producers who worked on couches behind her, shrouded in darkness and often silhouetted by three stark white spotlights that motionlessly illuminated the crowd.
The show began with an intriguing introduction: the spotlights shimmered into action for several minutes before Tirzah took the stage, setting the tone for a masterclass in restraint and understatement.
Her performance was aloof; Tirzah spoke only a few words to the audience and exited quickly, leaving the stage as the house lights came on, denying the crowd a chance to send her off properly. This reticence matched her quiet, conversational vocal style and created an intimate, one-on-one connection with the listener.
Tirzah’s live act seems designed to foster a sense of closeness and personal connection. Her renowned lo-fi aesthetic, marked by raw and unpolished sound, is exceptionally popular. Her simple, unembellished arrangements are powerful, standing in stark contrast to modern pop music, and her live show continues this aesthetic.
Selling out the Forum, Tirzah attracted a diverse audience and delivered a show unlike any other, not just at the eclectic RISING festival but likely ever before.
Find out more about Tirzah here.
