Photos + Review by: Kelli Grace ( @kelligraceh )
April 30 – Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory delivered a sold-out performance at Union Transfer, celebrating their self-titled studio album.
Formed earlier this year, The Attachment Theory features Teeny Lieberson (synth, piano, guitar, vocals), Devra Hoff (bass, vocals), and Jorge Balbi (drums, machines). Together, they craft introspective, layered music that blends Van Etten’s haunting vocals with ‘80s new wave textures.
The group opened with “Live Forever,” drawing the audience in with dark, dreamy melodies and lyrics about life, love, and mortality. That mood carried through the entire set, echoing the tone of the new album– which feels fresh and focused, as if Van Etten has truly found her stride.
At one point, Van Etten paused to express her love for Philadelphia– the city where she recorded her first album, Because I Was In Love, and where WXPN first discovered her. Her gratitude felt genuine and grounding, a reminder of how far she’s come without losing touch with where she began.
One of the night’s standout moments came with her tribute to David Lynch, the iconic director behind Twin Peaks. Van Etten delivered a moody, cinematic performance of “Tarifa,” a track featured in the 2017 reboot of the show.
What I’ll remember most, though, was Van Etten’s warmth and humility. She closed her set by thanking not only her bandmates, but every crew member, tour manager, and even her bus drivers– each one by name. That simple act said everything about who she is as an artist and a person.
If this performance is any sign, Sharon Van Etten has reached a new artistic peak. With The Attachment Theory, she’s found a sound and a band that amplify her strengths and push her into bold, fresh territory.
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