Ann Arbor’s Michigan Theater hosted the unforgettable artistry of St. Vincent, whose innovative mix of indie rock and electronic sounds captivated a sold-out crowd.
The iconic venue, with its ornate architectural detail and vintage charm, provided the perfect backdrop for her theatrical and avant-garde style. St. Vincent, who goes by Anne Clark when not on stage, got her start as a member of the eccentric 20+ member band Polyphonic Spree and then as a touring musician for Michigan-born artist Sufjan Stevens. She has since built a dazzling career that has given way to comparisons with David Bowie and Kate Bush while also being called one the most innovative guitar players of her generation.
Fans were given a full overview of those skills and influences throughout the night, starting with “Reckless” from her 2024 album Born Screaming. The slow build of the song, with lyrics about death and loss, gave fans a false sense of ease before jarring them into life with a blast of synthesizers. The contrasts and emotional swings are a signature part of St. Vincent’s sound that fans experienced often as the night went on.
Heavy guitar riffs were the distinguishing feature of the next track, “Fear the Future” from 2017’s MassEducation. Clark strutted across the stage while drummer Mark Guiliana provided an industrial beat that had every head bobbing along in sync. When it came time for “Digital Witness,” it was like a dance party broke out in the theater. The song’s poppy electronic beats and sharp lyrics about the surveillance culture of modern society had fans singing and swaying in unison. After going back to two of her latest songs, “Sweetest Fruit” and “Flea,” Clark slowed things down a bit with “Cheerleader,” one of her earlier hits from her 2011 album Strange Mercy. The song’s mix of distorted guitar and powerful chorus – “I don’t want to be a cheerleader no more” – once again had the entire theater singing along.
Throughout the show, Clark proved that the hype around her guitar skills was the real deal – sludgy riffs one moment would give way to complex chords the next. At the same time, the auditory performance was equally matched with the visual spectacle. The stage design featured a large lit archway that Clark would dance beneath while each song seemed to have its own color palette that changed with the mood. This visual storytelling added a layer of depth to the show making it sometimes feel closer to performance art rather than the typical rock concert.
In an era where musical acts can sometimes feel predictable, St. Vincent is a breath of fresh air. Her ability to fuse genre-bending musical innovation, lyrical depth, and visual artistry makes St. Vincent one of the most unique artists touring today. There are still a couple more shows in the U.S. this year before she brings the tour overseas, so make sure to catch one if you can.
