Photos in the gallery by Reiner Pfisterer posted with kind permission from Jazz Open Stuttgart
So many things happening that I don’t know where to start! But first things first. LP at Jazz Open Stuttgart. LP returned for the third time to the festival in Germany, first time being in 2018 (I was there!). And it’s more than certain that LP’s return to Europe turned out to be very emotional, both for LP and the fans.
After all, let’s not forget, it was Europe who first fell love with her and her music, and supported LP unconditionally since the release of “Lost On You” and never stopped. Not even covid could stop us. We’ve waited two whole years, but it finally happened.
There were so many familiar faces in the crowd. So much happiness and energy. It was very much needed. And even though I couldn’t be there in person, I felt like I was there thanks to the words by my friend from UK who travelled to see LP for the 21st time!!
Bekki, aka @spookymilner was my correspondent and here is her report:
* It’s been one helluva rough year for everyone. Being on a plane and travelling to the mainland after everything we’ve been through seemed unreal. Even spending the day in Stuttgart in anticipation of the first time we’d be able to see LP in a live setting again didn’t feel like a reality.
photo courtesy of @lpfamily_germany – thank youIt wasn’t until LP walked on that stage that it sunk in – this was happening, this was now… This was LP. The new intro recording has LPs voice telling us how they’ve waited for this moment. I’m sure they know how we’ve all been waiting too.
The show opened with The One That You Love, a song not heard in a true live setting by many of us this side of the world, having been released during the pandemic- and it did not disappoint live! It was a great choice to start with, the power of this song can’t go unnoticed. LP is here, and you better be ready.
Followed on by Girls Go Wild, Dreamer and When We’re High, the crowd was well and truly warmed up for another new release, How Low Can You Go.
I know that some of these songs were played on live streams and acoustic sessions, but being there in person is a different experience and feeling. Finally having the opportunity to hear releases from the upcoming album Churches played live was emotional, almost overwhelming. We all waited so long, LP included.
Firm fan favourites Muddy Waters and Tightrope deliver just as they always do, bringing back memories of shows past, and more emotions. The songs are so familiar, comforting, and most fans know the performances by heart, we have become a part of the show by now in our own way.
If we weren’t already on our knees from the pure love and joy of being back at an LP show, we were definitely on the floor in floods following Recovery and Switchblade. For me, these two songs are two of the most emotional from LPs repertoire, and they kill you so softly with their heartbreak.
It’s OK, LP drags us back up by the collar with one of my favourites, No Witness, and then the song that brings all of us LP fans from every continent and country together – our very own anthem, Strange. Never change, LP fans, never change!
photo courtesy of @lpfamily_germany – thank youSomething new comes next, and LP tells us how overwhelming and emotional it is for them to be here – as always, they are right there with us, and we are right where we belong.
Angels is an uplifting, new, never before heard track, with lyrics that are lighthearted yet thoughtful (my favourite was “I look for dancers in the middle of the rain” which brought back memories of Stuttgart and the torrential downpour of 2019, the last time we saw LP play).
Into The Wild made a much welcomed comeback in this set, and was followed by One Last Time which is a certified crowd rowser – this sounds so wonderful live, I know I’m going to enjoy it every time I get to hear it.
New track My Body was present on the set list in print only, but appeared to have been pulled from the final live set. Instead, the encore consisted of Goodbye, holding on to the high energy of One Last Time, and closing the show with the song that made it all, Lost on You (will we ever tire of hearing this anthem? Or would there be riots on the day its not included in a set?).
It was over too soon, of course. All that’s left is the ringing in my ears. But it was the beginning of the return of live music, real crowds, and us LP fans back where we belong – supporting LP, and sharing in their emotions – the heartbreak, the unbridled joy, the celebration of the human condition.
Live music lives on. *
Bekki – my kindest thank you!! You’ve captured everything perfectly!
And a few more words from Christina (@anitsirch197), who also told me that full LP concert from Stuttgart should be up on Arte TV soon!
* Until the last Minute I didn‘t belive it was really happening. LP back on stage and I‘m in the crowd! It felt strange and at the same time totally normal. It was emotional for me but also for LP. You could feel that she missed it. She interacted a lot with us. And her Voice touched my heart as always!
photo courtesy of Martina – thank youI cried at Recovery, danced at Girls go wild and celebrated all the new Songs especially Angel (very intens) and Goodbye. Thank you so much dear LP for your Love and Music! And of course it was so lovely to see so many old friends again and spend time with them! Oh how I missed that all! *
Thank you to everyone who shared pics, wrote to me and made me feel like being part of this tour!! I’m so happy to see so many of my friends returning for LP and her music. It’s been a long time, but it’s finally happening! And on top of that LP announced her European 2022 tour & the release of a new single – Angels.
I will cover all that in two separate posts!
