Last time, her health problems prevented her from visiting us. We are, of course, talking about Beth Hart, who, having somewhat recovered, let nothing keep her away from us this time. And so, she brought her “You Still Got Me” tour to our neck of the woods, and more specifically to the Lycabettus Theatre in Athens. Naturally, Myth of Rock adjusted its schedule accordingly, so that on that Wednesday we could be at this beautiful venue and admire Beth Hart in all her glory.
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)
Upon entering the theatre, we realized that the audience was to be seated in the koilon, while an improvised, flat stage had been set up in the proscenium – and that was exactly where Beth Hart would perform. It was a special setup, one that immediately hinted at a truly special show from the American singer.
At around nine o’clock, Beth Hart made her appearance, greeted by thunderous applause from the crowd, which had almost filled the Lycabettus Theatre. She was visibly excited and in high spirits, and took her place behind the keyboards, which would be her sole accompaniment on several songs. This celebrated lady of the blues opened with a cover of Etta James’ “I’d Rather Go Blind”, astonishing everyone with her fantastic voice. Her own songs followed, along with a cover of Bobby “Blue” Bland’s “I’ll Take Care of You”. Everything came together in a beautiful acoustic setting, in which Hart delivered a vocal masterclass, showcasing the sheer beauty and unique color of her voice, as well as her incredible passion. On other songs, Hart picked up her guitar and continued to move us with her breathtaking performances and acoustic renditions. Later on, she was joined by her two musicians on guitar and drums, and the tempo and intensity naturally picked up.
Beth Hart walked around the stage, sat on the floor and introduced her songs through deeply personal stories, constantly sharing her experiences and emotions. She was delivering an authentic, personal show, connecting with the audience through both music and words. It was also wonderful to see her joking with the crowd and even embracing some of the fans! It is important to point out that Hart often spoke openly about the mental health struggles she faces, as well as her faith in God. It is truly beautiful to see artists of this caliber being so sincere and opening up to their audience in such an honest and heartfelt way.
For the encore, Hart performed three more of her songs, seated at the keyboards with her niece by her side. It was a warm and deeply emotional ending to a truly exceptional artistic performance.
Beth Hart enchanted us once again with a unique show, where blues blended beautifully with rhythm and blues and gospel, creating an unforgettable musical experience!
