Joanna Newsom - Leaving the City - Pitchfork Music Festival (Debut Performance of New Song)

Joanna Newsom plays a new song on her harp at Pitchfork Fest in Chicago.
She did not say what it was titled, but the tracklist to her new album "Divers" shows that it is titled "Leaving the City."

[@YarrBr0]

I love how the crowd cheers after she does that first stretch of non-stop singing... Especially if this was the debut, they had no idea what was coming! Stunning.

[@drewhufsey2744]

That loudest scream was me. I've seen her twice. Both times I was beyond overwhelmed. Tears for beauty I've never heard before, and outbursts of cheers when tears weren't enough. She is a goddess.

[@maromjonathan]

I can't remember the last time i anticipated an album so much, or enjoyed a low quality video so much...

[@Voodoochil111111]

Her soul is from somewhere else.

[@drewhufsey2744]

She played in a church in Milwaukee. She played one song and my step father and I looked at each other with tears in both our eyes and he said "we could go now and I would feel like I saw the greatest performance". She now only has a soul from elsewhere, she knows how to move others souls. She is a goddess. Also, I was at the show, and I am one of the louder screams heard after the first chorus. This was a life changer of a show. Y's is forever a top 3 album of all time in my opinion.

[@tommywm24]

I'm no harpist or singer...but even I know how she sings and plays like that from 1:24 is extremely difficult and probably no other classically trained harpist could do it either.

[@fasolplanetarium]

The percussion on the studio version is just EPIC

[@josephcampo2054]

I always come back to this video because I prefer it over the recording. It has to take some serious brainpower to be playing those melodies while singing in a completely different cadence, sheeeesh she is insane

[@KasieShahbaz]

bro yes

[@dustheadmusic2622]

A timeless ancient feel

[@epistolaris]

I honestly love her voice! It took a while for me to get used to it and tbh I definitely found her more easier to lists when her voice changed considerably. However, I love that ethereally otherworldly quality she has. It transports me to another place and time that I highly doubt other voices could have the power to do so. Once again, a masterpiece from Ms Joanna Newsom. I want more new material soooooo badly!!!

[@mancini2468]

She is just an amazing talent.

[@neglej]

+mancini2468 seriously. she has amazing lungs. its incredible what she can do vocally. And on the harp. She is from another universe.

[@huhawond]

Is it just me, or has her 'Ys' voice returned? She sounds different than she does on 'HOOM'. Anyway, great song.

[@Goadiroth]

It's incredible how she can sing and play like that at the same time, not to mention memorizing the lyrics that don't even repeat. So talented!

[@guyvandermire4146]

many try and succeed, but not with such straightforward grace as you. you are one of a kind. i look forward to album four. your music makes my life worth living.

[@YoshiRivas]

I'm so attached to this song by now, that when the actual studio version finally comes out, I know i won't believe it.

[@Seeeeaaaannn]

still waiting .. :(

[@YoshiRivas]

I know, I dream with that day :(

[@schwarzchildradius]

Good to know I'm not the only one who's waiting. :( It's been too long since HOOM.

[@YoshiRivas]

Yes, and I can't get enough with HOOM, but maybe with the rumours about her new video and the fact that we hadn't heard anything from her yet. This may come true very soon.

[@Seeeeaaaannn]

See you on the other side, friends :~)

[@lmaowiretap]

i luv u crzy harp lady

[@jordangreer152]

I got to bear witness and it still remains my favorite performance of this track. What a treat!

[@blooodytwins]

LEAVING THE CITY. I'm so excited for October.

[@BenedictHarris]

+Bloody Twins It's October now! The greyed out songs just sit there on my phone taunting me.........

[@kateee4440]

can't wait to hear the album version.

[@CameronFarrellMusic]

lol i love coming back to this and seeing what i used to think this song was

[@Gazonkie]

Wowwwww. The way she plays the first polyrhythm section is different but super cool!!!

[@DKYoung126]

This version is MUCH better than the studio version. Perfection.

[@thefezmancan]

holy omg wow 4 times in a row later, what do i do now? go for a ride? holy crap. magnificent

[@danaeb4774]

lovely! her work is always fantastic

[@StonedinFocus]

This is what a real person looks like.

[@Patrick679]

I love this. It's beautiful and so hard to describe.

[@alainnatoman4503]

She is such an amazing lyricist . I Think she is perfect. I love her !

[@OhMyPradax]

her hair looks adorable!! amazing artist and lyricist

[@CrystallineDreamer]

I can't wait for her next album!!!

[@swarmsea]

This was mind blowing, I want to get up from my seat and clap and clap and clap and never stop...

[@NIMRODakaNIMROD]

utterly enchanting... as usual.

[@dettiekinz]

Thanks for the upload! I was there too. Shared memory high five* :D

[@carissarichards337]

I really like her sound. Very soft yet strong. Every once in a while her voice sounds a bit like Bjork. Just the tone. Very beautiful.

[@minukarodrigo]

She has that Nordic accent to her singing, I wonder how she'd sound while singing with her American accent

[@guyvandermire4146]

no one makes me cry like you joanna. you are tearjerker to this emo boy.

[@csarito]

this is divine, and shes looking divine too

[@dustheadmusic2622]

beautiful tune!

[@wishywashydark]

YESSS. Rock that Dolce skirt, mama.

[@geanjenet]

that harp is out of this world

[@chandlerjcooper5137]

Oh so good. Please let there be a new record this year.

[@kramsniggah4333]

Incredible!!

[@matthew555]

Holy shit. I cannot wait for her next record.

[@fanofeverything]

Love the song

[@diewplz]

And I could barely breathe~

[@aunawalters6776]

Holy crap, I'm pretty sure she's not even human... she's just flat-out too perfect, and she is an absolutely, shoot-me-straight-in-the-happy-heart, fucking amazing musician! Every. Single. Incredible. Time. Oh, and lest I forget, her lyrical abilities are mind-bending... totally without parallel...

[@willwelch548]

Fantastic

[@mathnoir1]

jesus. she's incredible. can't wait for her next album. btw crowds - hold your applause for the end of the song ffs! drops me out of the song to hear all the cheers

[@Skelamore]

Hi, sorry for the delay, but i just uploaded the rest of the videos i had from the fest. I uploaded Bridges and Balloons, In California, Look and Despair, Cosmia, and Sawdust and Diamonds. :)

[@coolangel834]

the title is "Leaving the City"

[@pmarley8]

the crowd at her crescendos... she will make a point, listen. I get it, she's incredible, but listen, don't scream, wait until she's done...

[@sovakrokodil]

I'm late on hearing this, but man the part at 1:25 really got me

[@michaellanducci3967]

skelamore if you have anymore from this show please post them all

[@JorechDalc]

Wow, ¡me encanta! Me pregunto por qué a algunos nos puede gustar tanto y otros lo pueden despreciar tanto. Supongo que solo un selecto grupo puede disfrutar la magia de sus melodías.

[@richardcobaxin4595]

Hasta que veo un comentario en español !!!! Lo mismo pienso, he leído varios comentarios negativos por su voz o por otras cosas, pero en realidad es para apreciarse, desde que la conocí, no hace mucho, no dejo de escucharla, es completamente maravillosa en cada canción, las letras y los arreglos! Sigo encantado con esta bella mujer, mi álbum favorito es YS. Saludos ☺

[@JorechDalc]

Lo sé, ella es de mis cantantes favoritas, si no la favorita. ¡Mi favorito también es Ys! Y mis canciones favoritas son Only Skin, Emily y Sawdust & Diamonds ♥

[@richardcobaxin4595]

Me pasa igual, ella esta entre mis favoritas. Mi canción favorita es Only Skin, que maravilla de canción, justo hace rato estaba viendo el disco en físico, es lo mas hermoso que he tenido.

[@davidnunez9924]

(oriental music´s ) & belleza occidental...voz con un timbre delicado pero muy fuerte al interpretar el arpa....(strong & beautiful )

[@mikeyfrazshow]

anyone know when the next albums coming out? it''s been years!!!!

[@kelseyelizabeth2942]

wow

[@Skelamore]

I actually do; I'll upload them soon. x

[@adammacdougall1100]

Her concerts must be off the chzain parties with all that harping action

[@KasieShahbaz]

ok I'm sorry because I support Joanna Newsom unconditionally and love her more than myself but does anyone feel like the production on the recording kinda ruined the song? I have been trying to like it for years lol : ( but I alllllways come back to this, and it makes me cry EVERY time

[@ofir5000]

when is she releasing her next album?I waited to much/:

[@ellenrosenblatt5463]

she puts taylor swift to shame

[@SpurpleFilms]

+John Lemmon lol what?? So totally ridiculously irrelevant comparison.

[@erinlangley1611]

Holy shit.

[@MarsVoltaKA]

Happy Saturday indeed (although now it's Sunday morning here, whatever).

[@jondiaz50]

F-ing beautiful.

[@mransom]

Do any musicians know why she keeps swinging her left arm down by her side like that? Is it a timing thing or is it just something random or what?

[@StevenRayMorris]

this was incredible. This song goes harder than Yeezus or Magna Carta Holy Grail.

[@losteyesight]

How does she even breathe? Amazing.

[@anhelavilae216]

this year? also at which renaissance festival?

[@hannacassel2397]

so does this mean shes still touring?

[@lmaowiretap]

Hanna Cassel this means shes still playing teh harp.

[@macacephalosaurus]

I really wish there wasnt that random scream in the middle of the song.

[@CityofLight83]

A cute witch!

[@devoutburrito]

The rhythms in this are so complicated.

[@theekrusher]

'Musician's-special' Jazz cigarette anyone?

[@losteyesight]

Andy Samberg is the luckiest man on EARTH!

[@lobstring]

foda demais puta merdaaaaaaaaaa

[@lolsaXx]

This has a European feel to me.

[@lmaowiretap]

s/o souljah of da mongclan

[@AliLevymusic]

so hip

[@Daisydilly1]

-ster

[@jackcola5065]

Zelo dobr

[@lmaowiretap]

:D

[@petemallory6484]

ITS MILEY CIRUS WITH A HARP!!

[@guyvandermire4146]

you people's comments are ridiculous.

[@cemteco]

I am not a musician but I think her fingers are sweating and she is kinda drying them.

[@SelfcareSofie]

Is this is about the impending end of the humanity?

[@Chillwaving]

Well the studio version is out and what a disappointment. This version is ten folds better.

[@bigfatchodez]

+Chillwaving the studio version rules u lame-o

[@YNikolich]

+Chillwaving I agree. A lot of unnecessary instrumentation in my opinion..

[@Chillwaving]

+Y. Nikolich Yes! The double vocals is so annoying to.

[@BenedictHarris]

+Chillwaving BAH. It's a studio version. The guitar tone is amazing.

[@HoodeloodumGAME]

Thanks for the ear rape.

[@datura1983]

oh my god. her voices makes me shriek. please learn to fucking sing. if you want to hear a good harp player with a beautiful voice, check out erin hill.

[@braindamagedlikeafox]

If you don't like her voice, then don't listen to it. It's really that simple. Different artists have different styles and this is how she chooses to express herself, and I love that she is unique and doesn't conform her voice to what is generally accepted as beautiful. A great deal of people, myself included, are deeply moved by what she does. Stop for one moment and open your mind. If you'd rather not do that, please refrain from polluting the rest of the world with your negativity. I looked up Erin Hill. She and Joanna are very different, but each lovely in their own ways. I like her.

[@josephmarcott8333]

What exactly do you mean by “learn to sing”? Do you actually believe singing is a skill you can just learn to be good at? If so, then why isn't Joanna Newsom good at it yet? She’s obviously practiced a lot. I tend to appreciate songwriting ability and inventiveness over vocal quality. It seems to me that your preoccupation with singing is keeping you from enjoying some of the best songwriting around.

[@datura1983]

im a singer song writer and i didnt receive training. its about listening yourself and learning to tune your voice and if you tend toward nasally sound, learn to correct it.

[@chickensdontclap147]

datura1983 I think her voice is stunning. So raw and emotive. There was a review of Ys which said her vocals were like she placed an entire other code on top the lyrics and I totally agree, her voice is like having a whole other set of lyrics. I understand it is not for all tastes, but I think is truly beautiful.

[@jackcola5065]

Zelo dobr