The Modern Age

Tonight, folks who headed down to Castle Clinton in Battery Park were treated to not only beautiful, breezy summer weather, but a glorious set by Brooklyn transplant (and TMA fave) Annie Clarke–aka St. Vincent–as part of the FREE River to River Festival that brings awesome music events to the city each year.

Annie and her 6-piece band hit the stage promptly after 7pm completely decked out in white ensembles. Annie looked adorable in a sleeveless white A-line dress with black detailing and a black belt cinched around the waist. She donned black fishnet stockings (with a huge hole at the back of her left knee), black jazz shoes, and off-white plastic sunglasses.

Annie tried out some new songs, one of which she explained was inspired by all the Prince music she has been listening to recently. (Named “Comp” or “Camp” on the set list.) The song featured a chorus of “Better be moving on…” repeated over and over, and had a very slow, groovy R&B vibe to it. Another new tune, (tentatively referred to as “Trills”) was probably one of the best songs of the night, with a big brass/woodwind sound (french horn, sax, and flute) and a head-bopping drum beat.

Some other random factoids spilled during the set: The first song Anne learned to play on the guitar was “Aqualung” by Jethro Tull (which, if you are familiar with St. Vincent’s blistering guitar sound, TOTALLY makes sense), Annie’s first album, “Marry Me” was named after a famous phrase from the cult American TV show “Arrested Development”, which Annie says she watched obsessively while on tour.

The set list was as follows: Now. Now., Human Racing, Jesus Saves, I Spend, All My Stars Align, I Was the Actor, Underneath the Bed, Marry Me, Landlines, [NEW SONG] “Comp”? “Camp”?, [NEW SONG] “Trills”, Paris Is Burning. ENCORE: Your Lips Are Red