October 30, 2014

Publication title: Edmonton Journal, vol. -, Iss. -, pg. –
Place: Edmonton
Writer: Elizabeth Withey

Elegant, uplifting Sarah McLachlan shines at Winspear

Elegant and likable as ever, both in sound and in character, Sarah McLachlan treated a sold-out crowd at the Winspear to an intimate night of solid tunes, both new and old.

Wednesday was the first of the Vancouver singer-songwriter’s two shows in Edmonton, part of a cross-Canada tour with her new album, Shine On. “This record has a lot to do with gratitude and feeling grateful,” she told the house. Things got “lumpy” six years ago, when she turned 40, and “I had to make myself feel whole again.”

What she wore: McLachlan looked classy yet casual, hip yet, dare I say it, mature. The 46-year-old kept it simple with a shimmery sleeveless tank, slim-fitting black trousers and chunky-heeled black boots. Her shoulder-length hair was perfectly tousled, swaying just enough so you could see her silvery hoop earrings. Bracelets with dangly charms — surely not Pandora?

The setup: Prettiness. Overhead, light halos of varying circumferences that only vaguely hinted at Olympic rings and/or UFOs. Fairylight garlands. Dangling light balls that, unlit, looked like Christmas tree ornaments and had one reviewer silently humming Silver and Gold. A cosy-looking couch stage right for pre-selected contest winners to watch McLachlan perform up close and personal (and even ask her questions). Fog machine to bring intimacy to a relatively large hall.

Worth reconsidering: The three long, skinny video panels hanging like tapestries at the back of the stage were distracting, largely because the images built up a bit too much of a mystery. A lotus on a lily pad, cross-sectioned? A multi-coloured angel cartoon in flames? Oh, oh, that one was a crying lady statue! Also, that olive green spotlight’s gotta go. Combined with the foggy vapour, it looked like McLachlan was performing in the Bog of Eternal Stench.

Sense of humour: A-plus, especially when joking about her tendency to write sad tunes about, as she put it, “the underbelly” of love. Wednesday’s show was remarkably uplifting and light, however, thanks to a carefully curated set list and upbeat new tunes like In Your Shoes, inspired by Pakistani activist and recent Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai. “Every once in a while I gotta pepper the set (with happy songs) so we don’t get too depressed,” McLachlan joked.

If you were on a deserted island … : McLachlan had a top hat from which she drew audience questions. One person wanted to know what she’d choose if stranded on a deserted island: chocolate, a vibrator, or a surf board? A surfboard, the singer replied without missing a beat, to escape, obviously.

Quip of the night: “If we’re going to endure as a species, we have to remember to be kind: to ourselves, and to each other.” (Cue opening notes of World on Fire.)

The crowd: Lots of ladies (unsurprisingly), including many fortysomething moms with their daughters. At least one angelic infant that did not make a peep for the duration. A decent number of guys of all ages, and not only ones who’d clearly been dragged along by their significant others, including five guys (of six fans) sardined on McLachlan’s pillow-strewn fan couch taking pics with the Grammy- and Juno-winning balladeer.

Favourite rock star move: Heel-to-bum kick with the left leg, possibly subconscious, especially when rocking a really juicy high note or a poignant lyric. Adorbs.