Joanna Newsom took the stage at Kilby Block Party in Salt Lake City, Utah on Friday night for her first performance of 2024. During her set, she honored her frequent collaborator and “hilarious, loving, loyal friend,” the late Steve Albini.
Albini died from a heart attack in his Chicago home earlier this week, prompting many of his friends and admirers to pay tribute to the pioneering engineer and underground music icon. Newsom, who’s albums Ys and Divers both feature engineering contributions from Albini, joined those ranks with last night’s performance.
“[Albini was someone] who I love very, very much and admire in every possible way you can admire a person,” Newsom told the audience before performing the Ys cut “Cosmia.”
“I was saying to my friend this morning that on the list of all the reasons why he’s my hero, music and music-related stuff doesn’t even crack the top ten,” she continued. “He’s been so enormously important in my life musically for so many years but still just as a human, as a person, as a hilarious, loving, loyal friend to so many people. I miss him. I’m gonna miss him so much. I haven’t accepted it yet. He recorded the album that this next song is on, as well as so much other stuff that I’ve done. I can’t believe I don’t get to record with him again, but I love Steve. I love you, Steve. This one’s for you.”
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Elsewhere in her set, Newsom performed a new song, “No Wonder,” that she first debuted at a surprise set opening for Fleet Foxes last year. She closed her performance with her 2004 song, “Inflammatory Writ.”
In January, Consequence included Newson’s next release in our round-up of the most anticipated albums of 2024. Up next, she is performing a residency at The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever in Los Angeles this month. Grab tickets here.
Meanwhile, many other acts have paid tribute to Albini, including Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Pixies, PJ Harvey, and others. For more, check out our run-down of how Albini shaped rock in 13 albums.
Setlist: Joana Newsom at Kilby Block Party, Salt Lake City, UT, May 10th, 2024:
In California
Leaving The City
Sadie
Soft As Chalk
No Wonder
Sapokanikan
Cosmia
Sawdust & Diamonds
Inflammatory Writ
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