Folk goddess Suzanne Vega played an intimate show for fans at Portland’s Aladdin Theater on Thursday.
The show had a New York feel as both Vega and opener Richard Julian hail from The Big Apple.
Thursday marked Vega’s second Portland performance to promote her new album, “Beauty and Crime.”
Julian began the show with intricate guitar styling and witty lyrics.
He played an eight-song set, including tracks from his latest album “Slow New York.”
Julian made the crowd laugh with banter about Starbucks, playing shows in the South and quirky songs. The most memorable of those songs was “God III,” an exploration of Jesus’ hypothetical son. Julian played the alternate ending which concluded that “the son of the son” became the current president of the United States.
After a small break, the lights dimmed and Vega walked onto the stage wearing black clothing and a fedora.
As she snapped and sang the original acapella version of “Tom’s Diner,” members of her band slowly walked on stage.
The dramatic yet simple opening set the atmosphere for her entire performance.

The show felt private, partially because one-third of the theater’s 600 seats were empty, but also because Vega made every person in the room feel like she was singing only to them. People sat transfixed as she locked eyes with members of the crowd and sang softly into the microphone. Even her band mates spent most of the night staring at her.
Vega played new songs from “Beauty and Crime” as well as old favorites including “Marlena on the Wall,” “Luka,” “Gypsy,” “Small Blue Thing,” “Caramel” and “In London.” She even played a funky, remixed version of “Tom’s Diner” toward the end of the show.
Vega was very much in control of the performance. She remarked, “You may think this song is about whatever you think it is about, but it’s not. It’s my song.” As people yelled out song titles, she laughingly shook her head and said, “No.”
The crowd gave Vega two standing ovations, forcing her to play two encores.
She ended the night with a song requested by the audience: “The Queen and the Soldier.”
Vega second-guessed the request, “You want a sad song with a long, depressing ending? That’s what makes you happy?”
After the show, diehard and straggling fans alike were awarded with a small autograph session before the theater kicked out everyone for the night.
Vega “in real life” was much different than Vega on stage. She wasn’t warm or engaging while signing autographs. She barely spoke at all. She came across as a bitch, but she can be – she’s Suzanne Vega. Perhaps Vega is a lot like the city she sings about: “New York is a woman/She’ll make you cry/And to her you’re just another guy.”
For more information visit suzannevega.com and richardjulianmusic.com.
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