Blues guitarist and singer-songwriter Ana Popovic celebrated 20 years in the business at Chicago’s City Winery.
Ana Popovic is currently on her 20th-anniversary tour, celebrating stepping out into the music industry. Hailing from Serbia, Popovic remarked that there wasn’t much call for a European, female blues guitarist back then, but she made the decision that she didn’t want to be a graphic designer and wanted to follow her musical dreams. It’s fair to say she has probably superseded her own expectations. Now, here she stands, 12 albums later and numerous awards and nominations under her belt. It’s no surprise she was smiling as she recollected the moment she decided to make a go of it in the music industry, taking the road less traveled.
From the moment Popovic picked up her trusty Strat, she captivated the entire audience. The City Winery’s music hall was packed shoulder to shoulder as it’s not every day you get to see a musician of this caliber in such an intimate setting. There’s something enchanting about getting to experience a phenomenal player such as Popovic in a candlelit room with a glass of wine in your hand. The people of Chicago obviously agreed as there was an impressive turnout for a Tuesday night show.
As you would expect on a landmark anniversary tour, Popovic’s set delved back to the very beginning and meandered throughout her lengthy back catalog. With a huge smile on her face, she announced she was going to perform the very first song from her first album, “Love Fever.”
The small stage was packed with Popovic and her five-piece band. While it’s her name on the billing, and she was very much front and center for most of the evening, she took the time to step back and gave each of the band members their moment in the spotlight.
As a child of 3 or 4 years old, she listened to the blues. This is no surprise to hear, as the blues clearly coarse through her veins. She is one of those people whose guitar is an extension of her body through which she can express her deepest emotions. Whether she was singing or letting rip some amazing riffs, you couldn’t help but feel every single feeling and emotion. She is a natural-born performer and she certainly made the right decision to take that leap of faith and follow her dreams. Popovic is one mightily talented individual, who has clearly had to work hard for what she wanted and is deserving of every award, praise, and adulation that comes her way.
At the moment, Popovic has dates scheduled until the end of the year, alternating between North America and Europe. Of course, in today’s current climate there are very likely going to be changes made to that hectic schedule. Be sure to keep an eye on local listings to confirm if the show you are attending is still going ahead.
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