I saw PJ Harvey three times on the 1995 To bring You My Love, back to back at Beacon and I think also Jones Beach, maybe a fourth at the Academy. It was the last time she played guitar that I saw her and despite loving Is This desire?, her follow up, the thrill had gone. I haven’t seen her on stage and went from being a PJ Harvey fanatic, like obsessed with the woman (a Taylor Swift for the mid-1990s) , I still liked her a lot but I wasn’t obsessed any more. Or at least I was as little obsessed as I could be with the woman who wrote “The Mess We’re In”. I loved her 2011 album, Let England Shake, though maybe not as much as the UK establishment, which treated her like the second coming of Kate Bush.
Yeah, art for art’s sake, art sucks, and just get on with it. right? How can Nick Cave’s muse do otherwise? Well, she can record her follow up to Let england Shake in a box in an art gallery so fans can watch her work. I wonder how good an idea this is, but I guess, you know, if it effects the creation well that’s all part of the experience. You can look in but she can’t see out so…
It sounds awesome (details below) and I’d love to go except tickets are sold out and it is in London any way. If you are going, send little notes under the door asking for “Freebird” or “Rid Of Me” or both.Included a PJ Harvey primer spotify list at the bottom.
Presented by Artangel and Somerset House
From 16 January 2015
Tuesday to Friday 15.00 & 18.00, Saturdays 13.00 & 15.00
New Wing
£15.00, £12.00 concessions
SOLD OUT
Recording in Progress is a project conceived by PJ Harvey, in collaboration with Artangel and Somerset House, for the Inland Revenue’s former staff gymnasium and rifle range in the recently opened New Wing at Somerset House.
Harvey has chosen to record her ninth album inside an architectural installation designed by Somerset House-based Something & Son. The structure, a recording studio in the form of an enclosed box, has one-way glazing, displaying PJ Harvey, her band, producers and engineers as a mutating, multi-dimensional sound sculpture.
Visitors experience exactly what is happening at a particular moment in the studio, as Harvey and musicians, together with her longstanding producers Flood and John Parish, go through the creative process of recording an album of songs.
Tickets
Ticket purchases are limited to a maximum of 4 per household across the entire run. The name of the lead booker will be printed on each e-ticket. The name cannot be changed once the booking has been made. The lead booker must be present and will be asked to present ID to gain entry into the venue.
Concession price tickets apply to over 60s, teachers, registered disabled, students and registered unwaged. You will need to bring ID to verify your status.
No under 12s are permitted.
Tickets are not refundable or exchangeable. Tickets cannot be resold or transferred under any circumstances.
Arrival
Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of your session time.
On arrival at Somerset House come to the New Wing main entrance, accessed from Lancaster Place, where you will be directed to G16, for a map click here. For more information on how to get to Somerset House click here.
House Rules
No mobile phones, cameras, video cameras or audio recording devices are allowed into the performance space. These items MUST be deposited in the cloakroom at Somerset House before starting the session. Failure to do so will result in entry not being permitted.
Any items which may reasonably be considered not suitable/appropriate for use at the event will be confiscated.
Please note that items are left at the owner’s risk.
Accessibility
Visitors with access requirements need to inform Somerset House in advance of arrival, please email once you have purchased your ticket live.events@somersethouse.org.uk
Visitors with disabilities can bring an escort / carer free of charge.
Merchandise
Merchandise is available to purchase on site and from the Somerset House website.
Please note cash only sales at the Recording in Progress shop. Cash and credit card sales are taken in the Somerset House bookshop.
