Joanna Newsom Performs Poignant Tribute To Steve Albini At Kilby Block Party

Harpist Joanna Newsom was among the artists on the lineup of this weekend’s Kilby Block Party in Salt Lake City. The singer-songwriter, who has performed publicly only a few times since 2019, took time during her set to pay tribute to Steve Albini, the influential recording engineer and musician who unexpectedly died last week at age 61.

Albini was a recording engineer on Newsom’s 2006 sophomore album, Ys. Newsom’s fourth and most recent album, 2015’s Divers, also featured Albini’s engineering.

Newsom spoke about her relationship with Albini, whom she called her “hero,” near the end of her Kilby set. Referencing the grief of the previous several days, Newsom stated:

“So the last few days have been pretty sad, because of the loss of Steve Albini, who I love very very much and admire in every possible way you can admire a person. I was saying to my friend this morning, that on the list of all the reasons why he’s my hero, music and music-related stuff doesn’t even crack the Top 10. And he’s been so enormously important in my life musically for so many years but still, just like as a human, as a person, as a hilarious, loving, loyal friend to so many people.

“I miss him. I’m going to miss him so much. I haven’t accepted it yet. He recorded the album that this next song is on, as well as so much other stuff that I’ve done. I can’t believe I don’t get to record with him again. But I love Steve. I love you, Steve. This one’s for you.”

Newsom followed with a performance of “Cosmia,” which was the fifth and final track on the Albini-engineered Ys. The song’s lyrics poignantly reference grief and loss. View Stereogum’s footage of Newsom’s tribute to Albini below:

Newsom will begin a seven-show residency at Masonic Lodge At Hollywood Forever in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 15. See full details of the run below.