Music / Reviews
Review: St Vincent, SWX – ‘Note-perfect, raucous and mesmerising’
Tonight felt like a huge night for music in Bristol, with both St Vincent and local artist Katy J Pearson playing in two venues within 100 metres of each other.
The evening began with a sunny couple of drinks as I walked in to a choir singing right in front of the Arnolfini. Bristol in the sun is glorious.
But I tore myself away from the sunshine, and got my head around seeing St Vincent. I have been looking forward to this gig for at least a month. I’ve seen every interview and listened to the new album All Born Screaming as much as a postie can. I was ready for an intense show.
is needed now More than ever
First up in support tonight is Heartworms – aka singer songwriter Jojo Orme.
The intensity I expected from St Vincent was delivered early with spoonfuls of UK gothic post-punk. Heartworms arrive on stage marching to their own beat. There is little crowd interaction – but who needs that when you are inside their music.
In Jojo’s a natural theatrical performance she twists and contorts; strutting around, shaking her shoulders. Consistent Dedication is an instant attention-grabber. Soft vocals lull the listener to begin with, before Jojo’s vocals build, and build, and she erupts in a scream that shoots straight through me.
I am so happy I got there early for this one as, I’m sure, are many others here.
Then it’s time for the eagerly anticipated return of Anne Erin Clark, aka St Vincent, to Bristol. She has played venues in Bristol from the Anson rooms to the Fleece, and has grown as an artist so much that it now feels like SWX is too a small venue for her.
The crowd are crammed in. The minute or so before St Vincent takes the stage you can feel that sense of excitement brimming, the heat rising and individual yelps of anticipation rise from all around.
Here she is! Dressed in what looks like an old school uniform with jet black shiny hair reflecting the light like a glitter ball and fishnets to set the outfit accordingly. To say the crowd are excited is an understatement. Cries rings out all around as people express their love boldly in a room of like-minded fans.
Reckless is the set opener: “I’ll tear you limb from limb or I’ll fall in love” she sings, so direct I feel like it’s pointed in my direction.
It’s clear after a few songs that St Vincent has got it all. If you want a heart-breaking ballad, she’s got it. If you want indie-pop she’ll give you Los Ageless and Digital Witness. For punk rock, she shoves Krokodil in your face. All delivered note-perfectly, with a smile and beating of the chest.
She means every note, every dance move and every word.
Playing her custom-made crunching machines (guitars) with ferocity, the songs from All Born Screaming are elevated to another level. Broken Man is heavy, raucous and mesmerising. “What are you looking at,” she snarls, pointing out individuals in the crowd with fierce intent.
She jumps into the crowd for a little surfing and, later, turns a mic drop into a trick whilst gyrating on the mic stand, to the amusement of band members. Live versions of new songs are epic, building on already immense recordings.
“It’s a fucking miracle we are all here,” she exclaims, expressing her gratitude to us for sharing the same space with her tonight. To be honest it was an honour to be at this gig.
Just time for a quick game of rock, paper, scissors – while crouched on the floor, guitar in hand – and then the encore. For New York she gets the lights up to say hello and serenade us, and we all sing it straight back at her. What a moment.
The show closer is album title track and closer All Born Screaming. It embodies the sense of St Vincent tracks taking on a new life live. The song evolves and and grows with the whole band harmonising to form a choir. “All born screaming” is repeated and floats through the air landing left, right and centre. I have goosebumps on my knees and a setlist in my hand as I leave the venue.
As one fan put it: “That was the best gig I’ve seen in Bristol, ever. And I’ve seen a few!”
What a show. If you have the chance, go to see St Vincent.
All photos: Nicki Covington
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