Angel Olsen & H.C. McEntire Live at Brooklyn Steel

In December, Angel Olsen and band came through town, playing at Brooklyn Steel.

The energy was high in the crowd as we waited, everyone amped up and itching for Olsen who came out donning one hell of a shiny, gold bodysuit, her band sporting robin-egg blue suits with a crisp, white button-up and silver bolo tie. Boy oh boy, oh lady oh folks, what a sharp crew. Best dressed band, hands down.

While the crowd was zoned in on Olsen, my eyes were split between the woman of the evening and the one standing to her left, H.C. McEntire, also known as the front-woman of Mount Moriah, Bellafea and, as of last week, solo artist with the release of her debut album, Lionheart.

I first came across Mount Moriah during my college days with 98.3 The Penguin's radio host Kim introing, “and now here’s “Lament” by Carrboro band Mount Moriah.” Since that very first tambourine shake, I was in.

Fast forward six years, and I was thrilled to learn McEntire was joining Olsen’s touring band, excited to see her perform in a new context, wailing a whole new collection of songs. And that's what they did, their voices roaring in compliment. 

It was an incredible show, the band solid through and through, Olsen slaying it on guitar and McEntire throwing down some shoulder shakes behind the keys.

One of my favorites of the night was “Sister.” Take a listen above.

xxChris

Banner: Chris Zwaagdyk

Video Thumbnail: Steven Dewall