Justin Nuoffer
Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory
w/ Love Spells
5/8/25 – The Sylvee – Madison, WI
©Justin Nuoffer/NuofferMedia.com
A gorgeous day in the capital city of Wisconsin had cheeseheads out and about. The streets were busy with a flurry of activity. The outdoor patios were packed, and the taverns were starting to fill up. However, outside of The Sylvee, fans lined up early to walk into the venue and get their spots for the perfect viewing of Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory.
Once hustled through the doors and security, the main level and the suites were the only areas open. The main floor was straight ahead and down a set of stairs. To the right was the tour merchandise and on the left, along the back wall, the bar was already full of people enjoying their night out. The venue filled up quickly and was full of smiling faces.
The lone opener for the evening was Love Spells, a solo project by Taegen Harris. Very little is known about this emerging artist, but what is starting to be known is the identity of what his artistry represents. Every track is soft and wholesome. The lyrics are odes to love, intimacy, and compassion.
Harris, donning a leather jacket and a backwards worn hat, wears headphones instead of in-ear monitors. Moving very gently and smoothly, he engages with his guitarist and drummer often. His voice is gentle and whispery. The effect is what makes the content work. Sonically, it works to perfection. There was nothing over the top.
Check out the Love Spells concert photo gallery below:
Love Spells came to play and let you take it in without any distractions. They were mighty impressive and, without a doubt, onto something. The future is bright.
After six full-length solo albums, Sharon Van Etten returned to Madison with a brand-new release and a full band in tow, The Attachment Theory. It was a different type of performance from her, and it was worth every penny. Every album she’s written has been unique, and this was no different. What she has channeled with the other members was something like Kate Bush or Siouxsie Sioux with her vibe and style.
Opening her set with “Live Forever” and going into “Afterlife” was a direct path to kicking things off with a bang. “Afterlife” was the first single on this new adventure of hers, and it was greeted with loud cheers and folks singing loudly. The dark, gloomy haze covered the stage area, while the lighting varied but was mainly purple or dark green. The effects were haunting despite her upbeat commentary in between tracks.
At one point, the band rattled off four songs from the new album. They were “I Can’t Imagine,” “Something Ain’t Right,” “Southern Life,” and another single, “Trouble.” The emphasis on the new material was enjoyed quite a bit. The floor was an active space of dancing and singing. The dedicated fanbase was having the time of their lives.
Van Etten surrounded herself with an incredible cast of musicians, who each had their moments during the performance, and she had no problem sharing that spotlight. That humility and ability to let go were more than welcome to see. A genuine compassion and an overflowing source of empathy for people were well noted as well. This tour featured the entire new album nearly in full, outside of one song not in the setlist. Despite that, the well was deep for past material to choose from, and her solo pickings were incredible.
Choosing “No One’s Easy To Love,” “Anything,” “Everytime The Sun Comes Up,” and “Hands” allowed longtime supporters and devotees a few selections from the Are We There and Remind Me Tomorrow albums. Those indie/folk rock songs translated well to this iteration of Sharon Van Etten. Her voice once again was strong yet vulnerable. Almost chilling in moments.
Check out the Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory concert photo gallery below:
She dedicated songs to people like David Lynch, who recently passed on. After sharing a small story about her experience with him and the Twin Peaks relaunch, she proceeded to perform “Tarifa” from the Twin Peaks Event Series soundtrack. From there, she went right into “Seventeen,” whose easy-to-sing chorus filled The Sylvee with the voices of her fans simply grooving and staying loose.
The personal look inside is gripping, but also an honest take. You could very easily feel the meaning and deep look. Her voice shook and broke in spots. It was stunning. That wasn’t even the last of it. The band continued with “I Want You Here” before breaking for the encore and receiving thunderous applause.
Walking back out for the encore, the first of two songs was “I Wish I Knew.” With many thank yous and general expressions of gratitude in the middle, the final song of the night, “Fading Beauty,” felt fitting. The soft and winding exploration of the lyrics she held in her hands while singing was an understanding and brutally honest look at the travels of life.
Heading toward the exits, the notion sank in as the cool air slapped you in the face. The night sky was lit up beautifully. No clouds or obstructions. Not only was this a beautiful experience, but it was also a low-key lecture on life as a whole. Not only was her commentary between songs complimentary and explanatory, but the lyrics matched. With Van Etten once again expanding her horizon with this release, she has once again solidified herself as a complete artist and performer. It is highly suggested to have a night out and enjoy this tour if you can.
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