When I was a teenager, I went to a lot of punk and hardcore concerts. They were small, aggressive and if I wasn’t careful, I’d catch a boot to the teeth. Less than a decade later, I found myself sitting at BAM, while a little pixieish harp player was supported by an orchestra. This scene is one that I am not used to. Normally, I find myself in a crowded, dark little spaces at which my feet stick to the beer-drenched floor, while deafeningly loud music bludgeons my eardrums.

Front and center sat cute little Joanna Newsom, next to her harp. Only two albums into her career, and she’s already being handed opportunities to perform with a dignified orchestra, an honor that will surely gain her further respect outside of the indie world that first embraced her.

For the first half of the night, Newsom and her band performed the songs of her critically acclaimed 2006 album Ys (a collaboration with composer Van Dyke Parks), while backed by the Brooklyn Philharmonic. The delicate songs sounded even better and more profound than on record.

For the second half of her performance, Newsom returned the stage in a little red dress, looking absolutely enchanting. With only her regular 3-piece backing band supporting for this half, Joanna Newsom focused on her earlier material, beginning with the fantastic Bridges and Balloons. The tone was much lighter as Newsom and the band often joked around, and even took a moment to praise Barack Obama.

Every moment of the night was an absolute delight, with each half of the performance providing a different perspective of the remarkable talent that Newsom possesses. And she’s only just started.

For those who missed last night’s performance, you will have another chance to catch her at BAM tonight. Tickets are sold out, but if you have the opportunity to get your hands on a pair, I strongly suggest it. A music hall like BAM is the perfect place to see her.

see more photos of Joanna Newsom at flickr.com/jonnyleather