Elle Varner Full Concert | NPR MUSIC FRONT ROW

OCTOBER 22, 2014 @ Le Poisson Rouge, NYC
R&B singer-songwriter Elle Varner flew out of the gate in 2011 with a feel-good, boom-bap-heavy tune about a man who had managed to snag her attention away from a particularly nice pair of shoes. But three years already feels like an eternity ago, and on her newer material Varner sounds far from satisfied by either a sweet talker or some new kicks.She took the stage with guns blazing, and a couple of songs into her set, she was more than willing to admit that she's been going through it lately; a public break-up, a stalled album release and a (freshly resolved) spat with fellow R&B singer K. Michelle have kept Varner's name in the headlines. "This past year, I've been through some s--," she said, before launching into a stirring performance of "Little Do You Know," a song from her upcoming record, 4 Letter Word.At Le Poisson Rouge, Varner gave us a handful of that album's songs and one from her previous - all fleshed out and Kodachromed by a live band - inviting the room into the depths of what it means to battle through lies, loss and love itself. Wielding a delicate rasp, and powerful delivery, she showed off the voice that's kept her standing through it all. --KIANA FITZGERALD
SET LIST
0:18 - "Cold Case"
5:15 - "Don't Wanna Dance"
10:00 - "Nothing"
14:30 - "Little Do You Know"
19:42 - "F-- It all"
24:45 - "Refill"
CREDITS
Producers: Mito Habe-Evans, Otis Hart; Event Manager: Saidah Blount; Audio Engineers: Richie Clarke, Kevin Wait; Videographers: Rachel Counce, Colin Marshall, Susan Hale Thomas; Host: Frannie Kelley; Special Thanks: Squarespace, (Le) Poisson Rouge; Executive Producer: Anya Grundmann

[@forrestgibbes158]

Very underrated artist...The talent is heads and shoulders above most of what I'm hearing on the airwaves. Can't wait to see her come to the A-town! Refill gravitated me here, and I've been enjoying her music ever since. She gets 5*s, and I can hear very well. Fan me up!

[@clearwaterswither]

I was looking at the old videos uploaded by NPR and I was so happy to see that they have this full concert of Elle Varner on here! I'm glad I found this gem! Thanks! I miss hearing her older songs ❤

[@toyadiinae9800]

Why wasn't this heavily promoted and put all over KZbin? Never knew this existed!

[@jbecknc]

This is one of the great performances. Elle is over the top and the band is fabulous . The two back up singers-Anjanee and Malik-are two of the best in the business.

[@toyadiinae9800]

... and apparently with the 398 Likes and 20 comments, nobody else knew about this diamond in the ocean (of KZbin), either! 😳

[@jbecknc]

Elle Varner is the real deal. Saw her in New York. Fabulous show, fabulous talent.

[@AnikaDavidson]

Yes, Elle Varner .. Sing & Give me LIFE !!!!

[@amkcombs]

LOVE THIS VIDEO START TO FINISH

[@sistatcy]

My god shez so mesmerising❤️

[@loridavis9690]

One of my favorite singers everrrrrr

[@loridavis9690]

Elle puts on a show!!!

[@ColeyGilchrist]

Cold case go hard. Love that song

[@Zoerapss]

I'm in love

[@toyadiinae9800]

It really boggles my mind, since it came out about 6 months AFTER T-Pains' highly unexpected amazing performance at Tiny Desk! That was groundbreaking, so this concert should have been riding on that success and been heard about and seen everywhere, in my opinion!

[@MadebyMarisJ]

great recording !!

[@strauqq1]

She Nice!!! I love her.

[@MrStyle23]

This was a sad set. Makes you just want to hug her afterward.

[@dingram4004]

Amazing...I would love to do a track with you Elle!!!!!!!

[@Gabe-bm3bj]

I love her wish she was bigger

[@polisheddiva1318]

Yes!!!!

[@ChiChichiwe01]

💞 it

[@davayemba3121]

Elle Varner could totally do a complete set without a full band or backup singers..... #ijs #rawtalent

[@malikshaw7173]

24:45

[@dcuthbertson5778]

I saw her perform. She sounds sooooo good. Her label definitely mismanaged her career. There's no reason she's not up there with Beyonce and the other great singers.

[@aminah761]

She looks just like faith evens

[@michaellanaux2012]

I love u