PJ Harvey dedicated a song to Steve Albini at Primavera Sound at the weekend.
Harvey and Albini worked together on creating her second studio LP, 1993’s ‘Rid Of Me’.
The legendary record producer – who was the mastermind behind iconic albums such as Nirvana‘s ‘In Utero‘ and Manic Street Preachers‘ ‘Journal For Plague Lovers’– died last month of a heart attack while at Electronic Audio – his recording studio in Chicago.
On Saturday (May 31) Harvey said during her performance in Barcelona: “I would like to sing this next song in memory of Steve Albini. Steve should have been here for this festival, and it would be nice if you all think of him.”
She then proceeded to perform ‘The Desperate Kingdom Of Love’ from 2004’s ‘Uh Huh Her’. Watch the performance below
Albini was due to play with his band Shellac at the festival last Thursday (May 30).
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They were fixtures at the Primavera Sound Festival for almost 20 years, performing at every incarnation since 2008. Shellac first played the festival in 2006, missed the following year, returned in 2008 and have played every year after that.
Last month the festival named a stage after Albini in his honour.
A statement from Primavera read at the time: “Farewell, Steve. Although it will be the first year since 2007 in which he will not command the inimitable Shellac at his annual date with his favourite festival, the figure of the late Steve Albini will be more present than ever at Primavera Sound.
“The Steve Albini stage, situated opposite the Plenitude stage, will be a tribute to an irreplaceable member of the Primavera family, although he will, in fact, be honoured in every inch of the Parc del Fòrum, during every second of the festival.”
Following his death, Harvey also paid tribute to the late producer, sharing a photo of the front and back cover of ‘Rid Of Me’.
She wrote at the time: “Meeting Steve Albini and working with him changed the course of my life. He taught me so much about music, and life. Steve was a great friend – wise, kind and generous. I am so grateful. My thoughts are with him and his family and friends as we suffer his loss.”
Upon its release, ‘Rid Of Me’ landed the Number Three spot on the UK charts and the Number 10 spot on the Bilboard US Heatseekers Albums Chart. The LP would go on to garner admiration from various musicians such as Elastica, Karen O, Courtney Love, Alanis Morissette, Phoebe Bridgers and Ethel Cain.