Annie Clark, known professionally as St. Vincent, just played to a sold out audience at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall, following the recent release of her latest album All Born Screaming, her self produced seventh studio album.
The opulent hall is always such an experience to be in, it’s grand atmosphere is something I have never gotten used to. It’s always a privilege to see a performance here.
The surroundings though were a stark contrast to the stage. White arches on wheels were moved around to create different spaces for her to walk through, lean on, and stand in.
The backdrop was a video screen of images of St Vincent and at times showed close ups of her filmed there and then from the on stage roaming cameraman. Her keyboard player, drummer, bass player and guitarist were spread apart on the stage to allow room for the arches and for her to play her guitar.
She is a very cinematic performer, sometimes pulling a comedic face or posture, often jittering and jolting around like a broken mechanical doll, yet when she stands still or leans her head into her microphone she is like a captured still from classic Hollywood, with the beauty and intensity of the likes of Joan Crawford.
You can’t take your eyes off her, she is a creative performer in every single move, be that her body or face or how she holds and plays her guitar. She is phenomenal in every possible way and plays up to knowing all eyes are solely on her.
St. Vincent is a guitar-playing genius. Rolling Stone correctly named her as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. She plays guitar like I have never heard anyone else play, I watch what she is doing and listen and think ‘how does she do that??’ How is she playing her pedals and making these sounds? She is utterly beguiling, a creative powerhouse and entirely unique.
By far one of the greatest musicians of our time.
The show was a perfectly curated setlist featuring seven of her new songs, among a mix from her previous recordings. She showcased her unbelievable vocal range with quieter songs such as Candy Darling, an emotional performance which didn’t leave many dry eyes.
She wandered around the audience hugging and shaking hands, giving and receiving love and mutual adoration. She acknowledged a sign a fan was holding up in the centre of the front row which she said she loved. She also pointed at my Tori Amos t-shirt with From The Choirgirl Hotel artwork on and stated how much she ‘loved that record’. She has previously mentioned that Tori Amos suggested to have ‘scratching sounds’ on new song Flea, advice which she followed through with. Her engagement with her fans and audience has come a long way from her previous more stoic performances.
‘We’re all here for love’, she beams out to her audience. It’s the perfect thing to say performing on the first day of Pride Month. We are indeed all here for love and the love for St.Vincent must be spread.
