LIVE REVIEW: EIVØR + SYLVAINE @ THE PRINCESS THREATRE 22/03/26

Words by Cecilia Pattison-Levi Photos Charlyn Cameron

The Nordic Goddesses of Eivør and Sylvaine swept into Australian and New Zealand capital cities over the last two weeks to perform a series of headline shows. Tonight, the Autumn solstice, was their second last performance of the tour at the Princess Theatre in Brisbane before they end their tour in Perth.

Brisbane had the good fortune to have Eivør play a headline show back in 2024 at The Brightside and it was wonderful. This time Sylvaine was here as well and that was a real treat. The show certainly lived up to expectations with stunning performances from the Norwegian musician and multi-instrumentalist Sylvaine and Faroese musician and singer-songwriter Eivør. The evening was a vivid testament to the powerful draw of the ‘lochlannach’ and of Nordic music as they seamlessly blended ethereal and visceral elements to captivate an intensely diverse audience.

Sylvaine (aka Kathrine Shepard) is undertakingthis entire tour as a solo artist. Her angelic presence alone commanded awe amongst the audience. But it was her extraordinary voice and the blackglaze, neo-folk and pop fusion that captivated everyone instantly. She used her voice to transcend the stage and deliver an ethereal sonic experience full of haunting beauty. Her ability to invoke deep emotion and stir the soul with her voice and guitar is unparalleled.

Sylvaine commenced her set with the traditional Norwegian song ‘Dagsens Auga Sloknar Ut’ from her latest EP ‘Eg Er Framund’ that was recorded in her parents’ kitchen. She then delivered the dark and brooding ‘Mørklagt’ with those soaring vocals. Her voice and music echoing the beautiful landscapes of her Norwegian heritage. Then, she performed in English with her neo-folk song ‘I Close My Eyes So I Can See’ as she moved the dial from new folk to progressive metal and back again so effortlessly.

She then treated the audience to a performance of the stripped back ‘Nowhere, Still Somewhere’ from her 2022 album ‘Nova’. Then, she performed a rollicking cover of Callum Scott’s song ‘Dancing On My Own’ that got the audience completely engaged: clapping and singing along. The French leaning ‘L'appel Du Vide’ from the album ‘Atoms Aligned, Coming Undone’ was next and it such a treat. Sylvaine thanked the audience for being so engaged and stated, “Thank you so much for coming early and celebrating my first Brisbane show. It is my first time in your beautiful city and in your country. This entire night will be a celebration of Faroese and Nordic music”.

Sylvaine closed out her set with the title song to her EP ‘Eg Er Framund’ (‘I’m A Stranger’) in acapella. The song is a traditional Norwegian folk ballad that Sylvaine has re-imagined and her performance was chilling and brilliant. Her ability to hold the melody perfectly further accentuated the song with her vocal intensity and range demonstrated and dropped the jaws of everyone in attendance.

After a short wait, the stage was made ready, and it was time for the magic that is made by Eivør Pálsdóttir and her magnificent band consisting of Mattias Kapnas (synth/pianist), Mikael Blak (synth/bassist)and Per I Højgaard Petersen (drummer).

The hush in the venue was exciting. The lights went down and the darkness overtook the building: the band went into their places and they started the introduction as it signalling the arrival of Eivør. She graciously glided onto the stage in the blue light as the band launched into the hauntingly beautiful ‘Jarðartrá’. Then, she flipped the switch as they delivered the big pop song of ‘Hugsi Bert Um Teg’ from the 2024 album ‘Enn’. The performance of this song is always magical. Then, ‘Salt’ followed as Eivør and her bandfaultlesslychannelled the enchanting elegance of traditional music with the Sami shamanic drum beating out the rhythm.

Eivør stopped and addressed the crowd, “We are so happy to be here in Brisbane. We have returned after two years. It is great to be back again! I hope you have a good time with us.” Eivør, then, explained about narrative that informed the next song ‘Í Tokuni’.“I wrote this next song about an experience I had being lost on a mountain at home in the Faroe Islands when I was young. The fog, and there is lots of fog, makes things very hard to see, I thought there were living things behind large rocks, it was frightening,” she patiently explained. “I will sing it now” with her glorious vocals moving between a melodic soundscape with screamed whispers.

Then, Eivør stopped to tell the audience that the next three songs would be from the very popular Netflixseries ‘The Last Kingdom’:‘Lívstræðrir’, ‘Hymn 49’ and ‘Let It Come’ transported the audience to a differenttime and space. ‍Eivør took the crowd back in time with her performance of the alternative-pop song ‘Skyscappers’ from her2020 album ‘Segl’. It was followed with another anecdote about being lost on a mountain and the lesson is: don’t take her hiking! She delivered the powerful ‘So Close To Being Free’. Then, Eivør, performed a solo and stripped back version of ‘Verð Mín’ with her gorgeous voice and electric guitar.

‍The band returned as the title song from the 2024 album ‘Enn’ was performed. It started with Eivør’s ethereal vocal filling the venue before the band cut in with double bass, drums and synths delivering a transfixing rhythm with an electronica melody underpinning the song. The songs were strengthening in beat and dynamic delivery as ‘Upp Úr Øskuni’ and ‘Gullspunnin’ were performed for the audience.

‍Eivør thanked the audience again for their attention and respect. She told everyone that the set was coming to an end. The chords and shaman drum brought in ‘Trøllabundin’ as the set hit its peak. Eivør’s vocal range moved from the highest angelic octaves to deep throat singing without missing a beat and all done within a breath. It was amazing. At the same time, she demonstrated her expertise and rhythm control on the shaman drum at the same time. It was astonishing!

Then, Eivør and her band, waved and left the stage. The set was over. The audience called for more. They returned to the stage quickly and performed the fan favourite ‘Falling Free’. It was delivered with real energy and class.

Eivør’s performance transcended the studio recordings of her songs, elevating them to an entirely new level, a rare achievement. Eivør’s unique sound is not only a product of her stunning vocal range, it is enriched by an extremely talented and intuitive band, as well as her use of electric guitar accents and the distinct resonance of her shamanic drum. The ability to merge these elements, with acapella interludes that showcased her vocal strength, combined to create a truly unforgettable auditory experience.

Eivør and Sylvaine delivered a musical experience that should not be missed. It’s pure sonic magic!