Before Yaeger's performance at Way Out West, expectations were, to say the least, open. The truth is I had absolutely no idea about her and didn't really know at all what I was going to see or hear as I entered Linné. However, I would soon realize that I did in fact recognize some of the songs when they were played.
Sometimes, that's quite a wonderful way to discover an artist.
And Yaeger made sure to make her entrance memorable.
The show begins with stagehands rolling a large box, or more accurately, a coffin, onto the stage. It's filled with smoke, and when the music starts, Yaeger emerges from it. It's a theatrical start that immediately sets the tone for the set – and she has plenty of people to impress. Yaeger is one of the first artists out on Linné during this year's Way Out West, and the tent is already packed.
The stage isn't particularly large, but it's built on multiple levels between which Yaeger moves throughout the concert. The scenography also consists of wave-like constructions and details that evoke images of fishbones or a fish skeleton. This creates a unique visual expression without the production needing to be particularly grand.
The visuals are definitely a part of the experience. Yaeger has a distinctly personal style that makes it all feel both stylish and cool. Together with the set design, the smoke, and her way of moving between the levels, the show gets a clear identity, even though the stage itself is relatively small.
Yaeger uses the stage well and moves between the different levels rather than just staying at the front. After a few songs, she also takes the opportunity to snap a photo with the audience behind her. And with such a packed Linné, it's understandable why she wants to capture the moment.
For me, walking into the tent with zero knowledge of Yaeger, it turned out to be a positive first encounter. Particularly fun was realizing during the show that some of the songs were actually familiar. The show maintains a steady and pleasant quality, and there's enough going on both visually and musically to keep interest high.
Unfortunately, the Way Out West schedule was less forgiving than Yaeger. I had to slip away before the show was completely over in order to make it to the next concert. But I left Linné glad that I had actually gone there.
And unfortunately, I can't offer a setlist this time. Considering I had no knowledge of Yaeger before the show, it would have turned into more of a guessing game than journalism.
But maybe that's part of the charm of festivals, too. Sometimes you walk into a tent without knowing much about the artist and come out the other side happy you gave it a chance.