Mitski offers three nights of artistic serenity

Mitski, known for her songs “Nobody” and “Strawberry Blond,” had a successful three-day stint in Atlanta from September 6 to 8. The tour for her latest album, “The Land is Inhospitable and So Are We,” took place at the historic Fox Theater.

Mitski brought Japanese indie band Lamp to the stage as the opening act. Lamp captivated the audience with her delicate vocals, funky guitars and unconventional percussion. The lead singer's vocals spoke louder than words. Although the majority of the audience didn't understand Japanese, her emotions, sometimes combined with the croaking of a guiro (a wooden frog-like instrument), gave the concert a serene and calming atmosphere. If you like jazzy indie pop, Lamp is a must-listen.

After Lamp left the stage, fans waited in a hushed atmosphere, as they would at a play or musical. It was very different from a traditional concert – there was excitement, but not in an agitated, talkative way. Considering that Mitski announced that she wanted her fans to experience the live performance rather than recording it on their phones, her wishes seemed to be respected, even during the intermission.

Finally, Mitski quietly walked onto the stage. She slowly approached from the side and began singing the song “Everyone” from her previous album, Laurel Hell. When she arrived at the center of the stage, she was quickly wrapped in a circular cloth, turning her shadow into a larger-than-life figure.

Once the material came down, the show really took off. From her strong vocals to her striking dancing, Mitski delivered an enticing performance from the start. Most notably, she shrinks down as a dog in “I Bet on Losing Dogs,” connecting to the lyrics and delivering an unforgettable rendition of her own songs.

Despite the artistic quality of her show, Mitski didn't shy away from speaking directly to the audience. She humorously commented on the Georgia weather and the shockingly low humidity that weekend. She also jokingly thanked the parents who, perhaps reluctantly, came with their teenagers to see her. These interactions made her tour much more personal to each city and didn't detract from her performance.

Another unique aspect of her performance was her use of light. At first she used the lighting as she did in other concerts, but as she got further into the show the light became another performer. One of the most notable uses was during “Heaven” when she danced with the spotlight. Instead of shining down on her, the spotlight was its own entity, her partner. It was a beautiful sight and made the concert almost a performative art despite the minimal stage decoration.

In addition to personifying light, she also used its reflective properties to sing one of the most popular songs from her new album, “My Love Mine All Mine.” In keeping with the melancholic mood, the light reflected off shattered pieces of metal, reminding the audience of stars. Surrounded by these glowing pieces, Mitski delivered an unforgettable melodic performance.

Another surprise was her country rendition of “I Don't Smoke,” a song full of electric guitar and bass. Although Mitski is known for her striking lyricism and sometimes grunge sounds, it was interesting to hear one of her most bass-heavy songs set to a danceable, playful beat. However, the performance only cemented her notoriety as a maturing artist and her ability to move between genres while maintaining her sound.

Like any musician, Mitski rushed off the stage after saying thank you, only to return for one final farewell in the form of an encore. She then performed some of her most popular songs: the viral “Nobody” and the catchy “Washing Machine Heart.” In a mix of old and new, Mitski surprised Atlanta with her artistic concert, both vocally and performatively. Her tour can be described in many great ways, but the best word for it is “poetic.”