Each time I see James Blake and his band perform, I feel the extreme rush of hearing something for the very first time. The sound is sharp and visceral; it oddly vibrates the hair on my arms and, at moments of extreme bass, gets me feeling claustrophobic before the inevitable release when Blake sings. It's hopeful, mournful, always thoughtful.
These days, Blake seems to be in love, and the songs from his new album Overgrown reflect that emotional dance. As with love, the music isn't simple, isn't predictable and isn't always easy to comprehend, but it's intense and riveting. This concert took place on a Sunday night at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., and the relatively quiet crowd could have been mistaken for uncaring or laid-back. But as I walked around the room catching the faces of so many, it was clearly an intensely attentive audience.
On keyboards and voice, Blake performs alongside an innovative and intriguing drummer in Ben Assiter, as well as Rob McAndrews on keyboards, guitars that don't always sound like guitars, and the all-encompassing bass sound he generates using bass pedals - meant for the feet but played with his hands. This is 90 minutes of some of the most breathtaking music I've heard and seen all year. I'm so glad we captured the moment. --BOB BOILEN
SETLIST
Air & Lack Thereof - 0:00
I Never Learnt To Share - 3:40
To The Last - 9:40
Lindisfarne - 14:44
I Am Sold - 20:22
CMYK - 26:10
Our Love Comes Back - 31:07
Digital Lion - 36:00
Unluck - 41:27
Limit To Your Love - 45:30
Klavierwerke - 54:23
Overgrown - 1:01:03
Voyeur - 1:06:40
Retrograde - 1:14:10
The Wilhelm Scream - 1:21:15
A Case Of You - 1:27:30
Credits
Producers: Bob Boilen, Robin Hilton; Editor: Denise DeBelius; Audio Engineering: Kevin Wait; Videographers: Christopher Parks, Gabriella Garcia-Pardo, Maggie Starbard; Special Thanks: The 9:30 Club; Executive Producers: Anya Grundmann, Keith Jenkins
It's so funny when they play "I never learnt to share" and the audience reaction gets looped. The first time I thought "whooa they're freaking out every fucking time".
Yeah that's really weird
In my eyes it just makes it better
@@k1001001 🤣
Watching this in 2021 during the pandemic. Oh my god, what a feeling that would be standing in that crowd and enjoying James Blake live. Was at a concert in 2016, pure joy.
See you there when all this is over. I saw him in 2017, amazing!
I remember watching this exact video for the first time a couple years ago and thinking to myself that I absolutely have to see this guy live. And I did just that last December. At 20 years old it was my first concert ever. It was one of the single most incredible experiences of my life. It's one thing to listen to James Blake in the confines of your bedroom, but to listen to him live was like listening to his music for the first time all over again. Incredible vocalist. Incredible talent. Rob and Ben are unmatched as well.
dude same situation, the color in anything was my first real concert, and it was the most amazing thing I've ever seen.
kinda jealous of you both,
I will see him on Thursday for the very first time/I'm so ready for this experience-
I was there, fans were awesome, quiet at the right moments. You literally have no control of your emotions, any outburst was involuntary. It was that good.
I recognize this completely: had the same at the Northsea Jazz festival few years ago.. Just waves washing over the audience.. Or inside of the audience rather. Wow.
@@WazigeLogica yep
this somehow does not make me feel jealous but joyful about how special and hopeful it is to imagine how the concert was
😊❤❤❤❤
He's always that good
For the mobile squad: Air & Lack Thereof - 0:00 I Never Learnt To Share - 3:40 To The Last - 9:40 Lindisfarne - 14:44 I Am Sold - 20:22 CMYK - 26:10 Our Love Comes Back - 31:07 Digital Lion - 36:00 Unluck - 41:27 Limit To Your Love - 45:30 Klavierwerke - 54:23 Overgrown - 1:01:03 Voyeur - 1:06:40 Retrograde - 1:14:10 The Wilhelm Scream - 1:21:15 A Case Of You - 1:27:30
Luke Berrie THANK you
Thank you, sincerely.
Luke Berrie god bless 🙏🏽❤️✨
Luke Berrie 1:20¿ its not cmyk
20:22 is not CMYK
Every time I listen to James Blake I get emotional, his music evokes such an uncontrollable response from me.
"Retrograde" just does something to you. Can't help but feel chills when I hear it... even after so many listens
It's difficult for me to comprehend how much of an underrated musician James Blake is. He's an incredible talent.
He isn't underrated. He certainly isn't as popular as other artists but that doesn't make him underrated, people rate him very highly. It also doesn't undermine anything he does, not being as popular.
And still he's purer than the industry... Ima let him drive his own lane. You either get it or you don't
EtopiaCA .... I wrote this 3 years ago. Now he's not underrated 🤣anyway lol.
I think he’s one of the most unique. How he blends things.
@@felichagomez don't sweat it :) but even back in 2013, he was helping produce a lot of stuff with Kanye and Bon Iver. he's incredible
Here James shows us a glimpse of a reality just beyond ours. Perhaps it is a figment? But it feels so real.
The performance of 'I Never Learnt to Share' (in the first 10 minutes) is one of the best performances of that song that I've seen by James Blake.
I think, James Blake is one of the best musicians of our time
I think you think right :)
Holy shit, i swear the drop in I Never Learnt To Share got me like a total anesthesia
God bless you to heaven NPR. Thank you to 1-800 Dino and NPR for making this recording happen. I watch it about once a month.
Garrett Watts Hi Garret, I love your channel. I’m glad I’m not the only one who has come back to watch this video over and over since it was posted
I never though I could love you even more than I already did. It's fucking amazing that you listen to James Blake ❤️❤️❤️🔥🔥❌❌
I love you Garret
I just discovered this through your tumblr and it's gold 😍 hope you are fine in Japan!
Garrett I listened to your podcast and you put me on James Blake. All I can say is thank you
I remember seeing James Blake for the first time ever on this video in 2014 thinking that he's gotta make it big. Now he is. So happy for him. He's very talented and a wonderful breath of fresh air to the music available these days.
I listened to his first Album "James Blake" when it came out in 2011. I was an instant fan and knew he was gonna be big. James blake is one of those people where you just know they had to be successful. So talented, unique and new.
the most lit concert ive seen where the artist sits the whole time. if thats not power idk what is
The hell are you talking about rodent?
The infinity stones.. what is
@Chipmunk Jones thanks for the recommendation; I love unaware steaming piles of aural garbage. I got a two-for-one deal watching you try to play guitar and saying you were better than EVH! any other talent to recommend?
I've been listening to James Blake since his first four EP releases and he is easily my favorite musician. I didn't see him live until 2019, but I saw him again in September of this year and the crowd sang happy birthday to him 🥹 Younger me is really wishing I could've seen this show 😭
ugh. Agreed. I've been loving him for about 8 years - I would have died to have seen this set. I feel this strange loss listening to this because I know I'll never experience it myself, but I make due by having solo concerts in my room
I Love How He Be Groovin To The Music Lol
hahah the crowd wows got looped with his vocals on "I never learnt to share"
And on Retrograde!
that's like a trademark of his, I love it, especially on such videos :)
it works out so well xD
when you realize, it's too late
but I dont blame 'em
You can hear every genre of music in his sound, he's amazing
I don't ever want to die if people keep doing this shit with music 😊
Fuckin right, my girl!
for real
Hellikitty Callaghan Don't miss it
В точку
Everytime I hear Overgrown I get chills. It's one of the most beautiful songs ever. I get the same feeling when I listen to Nina Simone, just jarring, emotional, raw and beautiful 🙌🏽👏💖
Thanks to npr and other stations, this music is never heard, even in our public radio in Germany. James Blake is on my list now.
Might be the best concert I've ever seen on KZhead.
you should go out more often then
I love it too, I keep coming back here and have wanted to see him in concert for so long now :/ had tickets once and he cancelled the show...my heart broke a little, I was sooo looking forward
If you enjoy this, try Bon Iver's NPR video as well
i am so happy that this recording exists and it is available for everyone. the set contains a lot of amazing songs that probably we won't be able to hear live again from him.
First experience with James Blake and I am blown away.
omg how have i just discovered this set..... old school experimental James Blake forever
Same a year later bless!
I saw James Blake live in Miami, best musical experience ever. The bar hasn’t been reached yet
lindisfarme, wow...i keep playing over and over. what a brilliant performance and brilliant song! love it so much
What a masterpiece of a concert
The opening set is insane!! still watching this in 2016
i like these beats. its like the prefect mix of hip-hop bass lines and techno.
ok...this is a very interesting description of his music
Only way I could describe it as well
the genre is Post-Dubstep if that helps..lol at me responding to a 5 yr old comment
@@johnwayne7201 everyone don't know name of every genre . There are so many genres then there are sub genres . Be calm man
The piano is louder than ever... beautiful
J Blake is one of the greatest artists of my generation.
The video description describes perfectly the feeling of watching this masterpeace
A Case of You cover!! Blake's voice is so textured and yearn-y, it's almost palpable.
this is brilliant on so many levels i don't even know where to begin...
It may be the direct connection of the audio in this recording. But from the description, being there held the same potency. When I see music live, I don't want an exchange between the audience and the artist until the end of a track. James dominates the space so perfectly. Shows like this should have beds lol. The drums would be our hearts - all beating with vigor and youth
The ending of "Limit To Your Love" is so beautiful...
This is a blessed find only 10yrs in the making 😅 better late than never 🙏
The glass breaking in the background of the start of limit to your love is so perfect
Love the new take on "Unluck" at 41:28. The asymmetrical groove of the original is cool and original, too, but I like how they remixed it for this live performance. He brings electronic music to the live setting like no other! Great performance by this power trio!
I’ll check out the original but I felt this comment so much
Self titled album from James Blake is just unbeatable. When listened to assume form I thought he might outdone his self, but watching this back, maybe not lol.
What a wildy creative and fun time for music this was
Right? 😭😭 I was 23 and starting to explore these genres
Miss it
We were there. The amazing thing was how respectful the audience got when James Blake did his slow, quiet passages One of the better live shows I've seen this year. A first rate 9:30 experience.
14:45. Didn't think I could fall in love with Lindisfarne (or James Blake) any more, but I have. My 2nd favorite live act ever.
Favourite was björk?
@@franchemusique Bon Iver
watching to the last while you're high is a life changing experience
The Heart is really revealed this young man is just beginning, as he gets funded more he has so much more to give , its natural for him !!
I saw him live twice and it both was amazing ❣️ love him
One of the best JB live recordings. Bass drops are perfectly registered.
NPR .... You're a friggin heaven sent for music. Love James Blake and all you do!
this is so fucking good the drums and bass are especially great.
UK "drum n bass" culture to thank for that mate! :)
best version of limit to your love ive ever heard
Thank you a thousand times for videoing his whole set! its such good quality and sound! james blake is more amazing live than i could've imagined
This entire set was amazing!!! I felt like I was there. Love James Blake and his band are so talented!!!!!
all i have to say is this is profoundly good
profound is the perfect word
james blake is just a different breed, god i can't wait for his next record!
I LOVE his use of the tracks from Love What Happened Here in Unluck...Really clever!
overgrown is really out of this world. Its crazy
Thanks NPR for putting this up. James Blake, wow, replay about a hundred times already.
Wilhem Scream is one of those songs that I'll listen to anytime it plays. He's just awesome.
Wow, I've just discovered James Blake! Thank you KZhead!
Amazing vibe, always on repeat
Incredible! Thank you NPR!
Why haven’t I found this before now?! This is incredible, one of the best recorded concerts I’ve ever heard!
"Aww. Aww. Aww. Omlette, Omlette havin' it here." - that's the starting lyrics for you.
Dr Frankinstein of music!!! Absolutely, utterly, amazing. His song with Chance the rapper brought me here. Love discovering new artists.
Utterly love James Blake, Rob and Ben sounds; Christine Ha's description is very good. Every sound they make is tactile to me, resonates deep, how does a boy so young get there?
I love this... James Blake I love your voice...
this is so awesome I know they work hard
Greatest artist of our generation
This is a fantastic show imo, I love the feel, the melodies, the finesse in the performances and real passion in the music
That sound of the Prophet '08 will take my life some day.
What an extraordinary artist and an incredible show! The description says exactly how I feel about this music. Every time I watch this show, I'm completely transported there. It gives me chills. This music is powerful and emotive and James' voice is comforting and beautiful!
Really nice to see Retrograde live. See the audience wowed with the loops.
I keep coming back to this
this has to be one of my favourite videos in existence.
Это мой любимый концерт уже 7 лет! Спасибо Джеймсу и всей команде !
so brilliant
The mans voice is like BUTTER!!
That intro is sooooo sick
beyond sick lol i got hype in my fucking kitchen watching it lol
so true, i get goosebumps when they scream at the parts i love too
excellent bass and beats. God bless Blake :D
Best performances of his on youtube. Thanks.
Absolutely outstanding, looking forward to see you live mr. Blake.
He reminds me of Thom Yorke and David Bowie in Digital Lion❤❤❤
Great performance , excellent musicians ! Sound and harmony exploration at another level .
Wow / his music is epic!! Like no other-really like it-
I like this live the most out of Lindisfarne live. The reason is that in this version, the middle of the song is played by a piano instead of a vocoder. The reason for this is that there was a problem with his Prophet(You can find out the situation at 17:08), but I think the piano plyaing and his unmodulated voice gives a deeper feeling then other live versions. And it's a pleasure to see our brilliant artist's ability to deal with crises quickly. Isn't this the joy of live performances?
This just randomly started playing after a tiny desk I was watching and WOW 😍 this is incredible
This is just blowing me away
love him and his music
James Blake is my life saver.
Thank you James!
For everything.
For every second you wiped up my tears.
loved it! thanks for the recording and the great sound! James' shows seem to be sold out everywhere so it's nice to at least have a part of the experience here. wonderful music!
OMG I´ve just discovered they exists and I love them! this music is so of my taste
最高の時間をありがとうございます.😆
Can't wait to experience James Blake again.
I knew about him by accident. I was searching for James Blunt and accidently he popped up and luckily I clicked on Play
Great feeling and sounding music. Reminds me of 808s & Heartbreak
It was absolutely wonderful audio! He's coming to town, and there is no doubt in my mind that I'm going to miss it!
Good Music... Amazing.