St. Vincent Live Tomorrow At The 7th Street Entry

Download: St. Vincent - "These Days" (Jackson Brown/Nico cover)
Download: St. Vincent - "Jesus Saves, I Spend"
Download: St. Vincent - "Bang Bang" (Live In Georgia)"

Many of you who have read this blog know how much I raved about St. Vincent's Marry Me a couple of weeks back. As it stands right now, the veteran of Sufjan Stevens's touring band/The Polyphonic Spree's debut solo album is in a Mexican standoff with Boxer and Hissing Fauna for album of the year.

I first heard of St. Vincent by watching her open for the Arcade Fire back in April. Since then, I've eagerly anticipated seeing her again in a smaller, more intimate, venue. I got that chance last night at Chicago's Empty Bottle and, wow, what a show. I will have a more formal review up either tomorrow or Wednesday, but let me just say that it was an amazingly awesome show. Annie Clark is insanely talented and has a sweet, darling charisma as a live performer. She, as well as her backing band, aren't afraid to re-arrange her barely existent catalog. One particular highlight was a lo-fi (of sorts) rendition of "Your Lips Are Red" that eventually evolved into a blend of prog-rock instrumental skills and post-punk groove.

But the best, absolutely incredible, part of the show was her encore, which was a cover of "These Days." She performed with the venue lights turned off. It was pitch black and was the most incredible thing to watch.

You really need to see St. Vincent live.

St. Vincent's show is tomorrow night at 7th Street Entry (701 First Avenue North) and the show is 21+. Doors open at eight and the opener is Scout Niblett. Buy tickets here.

This will be an incredible show, I promise.

(Jonathan Graef)