Kimbra at The Chapel 12/4/2018

It had been 4 years between albums from New Zealand's multi-instrumentalist, singer/song writer, fasionista Kimbra and about the same amount of time had past since the last time she played a show in SF. That all changed when she released her third studio album, Primal Heart earlier this year and set forth on tour in support of it which found her playing at The Regency Ballroom in February. A few months later she released a less electric, more introspective version of the same album, Songs from Primal Heart: Reimagined. 
And now, she's back on the road, this time with an acoustic show. Kimbra played a three night residency at The Chapel December 2nd, 3rd and 4th and contributing writer Michael Pettett was at her third and final sold-out show in the city to tell us how it compared to the last time she played here. 

Kimbra at The Chapel 12/4/2018
photo by Marc Fong 


As Kimbra blossomed into the music scene with her first album, VOWS and making a guest appearance on Goyte's single "Somebody That I Use d to Know", we immediately saw the shear, raw talent that she possess.  With an electric sound and notably exposing her influences by showcasing a live rendition of Nina Simon's "Plain Gold Ring", it was obvious that Kimbra had a plan to seemingly take the world of jazz influenced pop by storm.

Kimbra at The Chapel 12/4/2018
photo by Marc Fong 

The Golden Echo, her triumphant follow up to VOWS, gave us maturity in a way that didn't stray too far from her original sound, allowing fans to relish in ability to write hooks and phrases like none other. Her poetic prose left you feeling an array of emotions unlike most contemporary pop artists today. 

Kimbra at The Chapel 12/4/2018
photo by Marc Fong 

With her third release, Primal Heart we are given a new perspective. Almost what seems to be a step backwards into the realm

of commercialized pop, yet we find ourselves feeling the same emotional weight that Kimbra knows how to deliver best. It wasn't until she released Songs from Primal Heart: Reimagined that I shifted my perspective about the record, Primal Heart. 

Initally I was displeased with the record itself, mostly feeling a lack of inspiration for the material on the record which paled in comparison to her first two. Songs from Primal Heart: Reimagined however, give us the Kimbra we originally fell in love with. 

Kimbra at The Chapel 12/4/2018
photo by Marc Fong 

As expected, Kimbra set out in the road and subsequently sold-out three nights at The Chapel in San Francisco's Mission District. With a two piece band consisting of Zach Tenorio (Arc Iris) on Piano, and Spencer Zahn (Kimbra, Dawn) on upright bass, the three of them harmoniously occupied space on the stage and perfectly complimented one another, giving  Kimbra the stage to fly. 

Kimbra at The Chapel 12/4/2018
photo by Marc Fong 

To say that she's talented is an understatement. And to say that she's captivating live is almost insulting. Kimbra brings an energy to her performances like no other performer that I've seen and she was explosive on stage at The Chapel. Their sparse set up on stage and the show being a seated one made the intimate night with Kimbra feel like we were at a small jazz club back in the prohibition era.

It's rare that to find an artist in the public eye as she is, willing to fold inward, back into a place of vulnerability to release a record that showcases an array of abilities including poring out emotionally into studio recordings.  You can see direct responsiveness in the fact that she sold out three nights of shows in a row, during her second run in San Francisco this year.  

Kimbra at The Chapel 12/4/2018
photo by Marc Fong 

Now that Kimbra is touring on the release of Songs from Primal Heart: Reimagined, we can see that polished pop princess practically broken down on stage in front of us. Her connectivity to the crowd is unrivaled and now that she's touring acoustically, it's even more so. 

 Kimbra at The Chapel 12/4/2018
photo by Marc Fong 

Eye contact, articulation,  discussing the importance of regrouping as a civilization to connect and not focus on social media so much are the types of things you can expect to encounter on this tour.  Not to mention her romper was unbelievable! She must have been in 8 inch platforms! 

Kimbra at The Chapel 12/4/2018
photo by Marc Fong 

In my opinion, it's shows like this that can truly expose the real artists, the people who actually sweat and cry from their artistic process. Kimbra is that. She embodies everything about her own art and will surely give you an experience unlike anything you've ever seen before on this Reimagined tour of hers. 

review written by Michael Pettett 

photos by Marc Fong