LIVE REVIEW: St Vincent, Anna B Savage, Albert Hall, Manchester, 14/10/2024
Promoting their seventh album All Born Screaming, American alternative-indie outfit St Vincent played a sold out show at Manchester’s Albert Hall recently.
Support came in the form of songstress Anna B Savage. Savage enters on stage to a wall of noise from an already bustling and excitable audience. Donning a striking red ensemble she began with Corncrakes which receives a warm reaction from the audience. Having spent five years living in Manchester, Anna expresses her fondness for the Northern city, addressing the crowd. “Hello Manchester, you beautiful bastards. I lived in Manchester for five years, but now I live in Donegal in Ireland and this next song is about this”. She then begins Say My Name an ode to her recent relocation to Ireland. Anna B Savage sports a minimal set up on-stage tonight, a drum machine gives the trippy beats she is known for and an acoustic guitar adorns her neck, allowing space for her strong, deep and often husky tones to be heard clearly around the venue.
The crowd reaction is fitting for the performance Savage is treating the venue to, the crowd oblige warmly after every track that passes. Tracks from the most recent album in|Flux feature heavily, as Pavlov’s Dog, Crown Shyness and the final offering InFlux all receive warm receptions from the audience. Savage addresses the crowd one last time before finishing her set, and is clearly thankful for the large numbers of revellers that have arrived early to see her performance. “Thank you so much for coming early. That’s actually amazing, It blew my f**king brain!” An accomplished performance with theatrical elements throughout which was well received by the audience tonight.
The anticipation is allowed to build during the obligatory drinks break for the arrival of St Vincent. The atmosphere continues to intensify in the congested venue as the lights dim and St Vincent enters onto stage to an electric reaction from the crowd. A theatrical performance is evident from the outset as St Vincent are engulfed in piercing white light, creating mood-inducing silhouettes across the stage. The chemistry between the band is noticeable as soon as they begin Reckless, a track which features off their seventh studio album no less. The sort of chemistry that feels like a natural bond between the members, and has only grown stronger with numerous years spent in the industry. The confidence and boundless energy that oozes out of Annie Clark (lead vocals/guitar) and the rest of the band makes for an engaging and mesmerising performance to be part of.
Big Time Nothing, Violent Times, and Broken Man all feature off the new record All Born Screaming. All feature the dramatic tones and catchy beats that the band are known for. Pay Your Way In Pain offers the crowd a chance to get moving, and for Annie to enjoy herself a little more, as she addresses the crowd. “Hello Manchester! Hello everyone! All of you motherfuckers on the floor, hello! This is nice and I’m really fucking enjoying myself!”. As if the incredible lighting and stage theatrics weren’t enough to get the crowd engaged, we are treated a a rare drum solo. With the band off stage and the drummer alone, the solo continues to become more ferocious and impressive. Something to be savoured in the modern gig-going culture. Returning to stage, Annie introduces the entire band the only way she can, with the enthusiasm and energy that has been a staple all evening. New York gets one of the best responses of the evening and the show is closed by an exceptional and emotional version of Somebody Like Me.
A performance of boundless energy, effortless charisma, and exceptional musicianship by St Vincent tonight.
8/10
Written by: Ben Gilligan
