Last night St. Vincent proved that she is one of the bright spots in the world of music, someone everyone should be admiring. She was a perfect choice to close out the 2014 Celebrate Brooklyn! series at the Prospect Park Bandshell, playing a free show that was probably packed slightly over capacity. It left countless (couple of thousand?) fans outside the bandshell, most of whom ended up picnicking and enjoying the show just outside the gates.
This was my second time catching Annie Clark’s triumphant live show this year, with the first coming earlier in the year at Terminal 5. It’s hard to say which one was better, as both shows were equally as impressive. The crowd last night at Celebrate Brooklyn! seemed to be much more appreciative of the show, which is saying a lot, as we all know how indifferent audiences at free shows in the city can be.
Clark and her band were in top form last night, with the opening punch of trio “Rattlesnake,” “Digital Witness,” and “Cruel” overwhelming your senses both with sight and sound. Clark provides a theatrical performance that’s unique to each song, moving as robotic or choppy as the unusual rhythm of each song calls for. When she’s not dazzling the crowd with her moves, it’s her unfair ability to shred on her guitar. She rocks out like a rock star, but does so with a lovable smile that will steal your heart. Upon first glance you may not expect her to have as expert of a handle on the guitar as she does, but before you know it she’ll knock you out with a blistering guitar solo. She’s simply on a different level.
Last night’s set was perfect from top to bottom, a daring explosion of both sound and visual movements. In both cases, you’ll be hard pressed to find anyone who doing it like St. Vincent. She’s emerged as one of the finer performers in the game, pushing all kinds of boundaries, doing it in a way that’s both accessible and likable – certainly not any easy feat. Her star has risen considerably in 2014, and will do so even more over the years, and can anyone really argue with that? No, I didn’t think so.
Brooklyn’s San Fermin opened the show. Find photos of their set along with St. Vincent posted below.
Setlist:
1. Rattlesnake
2. Digital Witness
3. Cruel
4. Marrow
5. Every Tear Disappears
6. I Prefer Your Love
7. Actor Out of Work
8. Surgeon
9. Cheerleader
10. Prince Johnny
11. Birth in Reverse
12. Regret
13. Huey Newton
14. Bring Me Your Loves
Encore:
15. Strange Mercy
16. Year of the Tiger
17. Your Lips Are Red
St. Vincent:
San Fermin:
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