No Ordinary Fool

Speaking of artists that I have been following from relatively early stages in their careers, the first time that I saw St. Vincent, she was a solo support act for The National, who nervously introduced herself as Annie Clark from Texas. That was 2007. The second time was in the slightly unusual setting of The Sugar Club, where she had a touring band with her and produced a better insight into her talent. I still recall Paris Is Burning from that show as being utterly awesome.

Turning up under the protection of one of the “new bands” tents, she was dressed before the show in a broad-collared, waist-length leather jacket which, combined with her curly mop of black hair and electric guitar, brought Lou Reed to mind. This was an impression that was later reinforced by the announcement that this was now St. Vincent from New York!

Although Annie looks a little dead-eyed from the conveyor-belt life that is the festival circuit, the show is the highlight of the day for me. Mostly playing from her new album Actor, her performance level has gone up several notches in the past couple of years. There is now an unruffled assurance to her guitar playing that is in stark contrast to the incredible sonicaganza being produced. One amusing aspect though is that the electronic side of the performance is such that her backing band sometimes has actually nothing to do except wink at excited fans at the front!

The saxophone player though is her new secret weapon. Only truly unleashed for the last two songs, he plays with a big-note gusto that is so full of joyous, this-is-why-I-go-to-live-music sounds that my babbling enthusiasm was pretty much unbearable to be around while we waited afterward next door for TV on the Radio to get going. Specifically, the reworking of Your Lips Are Red to finish on was abso-freaking-lutely fantastic, whilst Marrow was probably the best song that I have heard played live this year. Another hour or so of this show was sorely missing.

Admittedly, netting out those simply seeking short-term sanctuary from the rain, the appreciative members of the audience may not have been the most numerous of a festival not especially given to promoting acts of this nature. However, there is little doubt that St. Vincent is being propelled along a fantastic musical trajectory at present. Expect to hear much more about her over the next few years and, under no circumstances, turn down the chance to see her perform live!