‘I was blown away’ – the fans who heard Phoebe Bridgers’ unreleased album in a planetarium
A Cosmic Debut: Phoebe Bridgers Unveils Lost Weekend in Planetariums
Ninoda.com – What occurs when a celebrated musician, one of the most eagerly awaited releases of the year, and a celestial dome intersect? Residents of Armagh discovered the answer this week. The Northern Irish city became one of only two British locations selected to host an extraordinary presentation of Bridgers' newest work.
Six Years in the Making
Lost Weekend arrives as the songwriter's inaugural solo effort since her previous record. According to The Guardian, this represents a "long-awaited return" to her solo career. Between albums, she has been busy recording and touring with boygenius, the Grammy-winning collective, while also processing the loss of her father.
The upcoming release has generated considerable excitement among critics. Descriptions range from a "daring exploration of love, grief and renewal" to something "staggering and stirring." Reviewers have noted the record as alternately mysterious, humorous, eerie, and quietly touching, ultimately declaring it worth the anticipation.
An Immersive Celestial Experience
In the days preceding the album's official launch, select audiences worldwide received an "immersive" audio-visual journey. The presentation merges the 16-track collection with captivating nocturnal imagery captured by National Geographic night-sky photographer Babak Tafreshi.
Attendees at both Glasgow and Armagh venues were required to store their mobile devices in magnetised pouches for the duration of the performance. These containers could only be opened using a magnet once the show concluded, ensuring a phone-free environment.
The Armagh Planetarium featured four sold-out screenings on Tuesday, with four additional performances scheduled for Thursday. Among the approximately 80 attendees at the opening showing were sisters Eibhlin and Emma.
"Before this, we had only heard one song so the whole rest of it was completely fresh and new and the visuals were amazing," Eibhlin shared.
"There were times I thought that the visuals linked really well to the music and the lyrics so it was just a really cool experience," Emma added.
While the sisters found the presentation "really cool," they acknowledged that ranking the album after a single listening would be challenging. Emma noted she detected a "rockier, or even a folk sound" that appealed to her, while Eibhlin explained she would need to listen more intently next time to properly evaluate the record.
Personal Connections and Themes
The album contains references to Bridgers' engagement and subsequent separation from Irish actor Paul Mescal. It also serves as a dedication to her father, who passed away several years prior.
Kev, who traveled from County Meath to attend, appreciated how the album's themes complemented the spatial setting.
"There's something both very human and very spacey about it, so I like that she married the two," he remarked. "It was very calming, very emotive at the right time. There are songs on there that did really blow me away."
Cathleen, an Armagh native and devoted fan, expressed delight that her hometown was included in the showcase.
"It's really cool, I don't think a lot of people would associate Armagh with contemporary, modern things, it's quite a historic town," she said. "So it's nice now we're getting recognised by a younger generation and younger artists."
She also noted that she could relate to much of Bridgers' music, observing that "everyone's had those relationships and encounters."
Fans Make the Journey
Abbie and Scott undertook a three-and-a-half hour trip from County Waterford to experience the event.
"Sure, what else would you be at on a Tuesday night?" Scott joked.
Both already held tickets for Bridgers' sold-out Dublin 3Arena performances in November, viewing the planetarium screening as an excellent preview. Abbie mentioned she connects with many of the songs and admires the songwriting.
Friends Tara and Emma also attended Tuesday's inaugural showing, drawn by the relatable nature of the lyrics. As the article notes, her music resonates with personal experiences, creating a shared connection between artist and audience in this unique celestial setting.
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