Indianapolis, IN. – To say there was a lot going on in Indianapolis Friday was an understatement; the options of music or what to do around town were endless! First, it was definitely Ladies Night around the 317 with MAGGIE ROSE performing at Sun-King Brewery, ST. VINCENT was playing the Egyptian Room at Old National Centre, and ALANIS MORISSETTE with special guest GARBAGE and opener CAT POWER were out at Ruoff Music Centre. And if that wasn’t enough to choose from, Oktoberfest had kicked off on the southside of the city for a highly popular yearly event of German heritage, music, food and beer!!
I was headed to St. Vincent at the Egyptian Room and couldn’t have been more excited. This was going to be my first time seeing the mysterious Annie Clark (professionally known as St. Vincent) and she was bringing The Down and Out Downtown Band with her that featured musical director Justin Meldal-Johnson (bass, keyboards, vocals), Jason Falkner (guitar, vocals), Mark Guiliana (drums), Rachael Eckroth (keyboards), along with Sy Smith, Nayanna Holley, and Neka Hamilton on vocals. I had always heard a buzz around St. Vincent and knew she was a well respected guitar player, but to be honest, I really didn’t know much else. I was about to get a schooling in Art Rock* that I hadn’t seen since the likes of David Byrne from the Talking Heads or The Polyphonic Spree (which coincidentally is where Annie started her musical beginnings).
The night kicked off with comedian Ali Macofsky giving a hiliarious 45 minute set of stand-up that kept the crowd very engaged and laughing at all the punchlines. Ali, who started her career as a guest star on KIIS FM along Ryan Seacreast, now hosts a weekly podcast called Resting Bitch which can be found on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or hit her website to purchase a membership for exclusive access and a better podcast experience.
The music subtly changed over to the tune “Daddy’s Home” by Shep and the Limelites which signaled to the crowd it was time for what they’d all been waiting for. As The Down and Out Downtown Band strolled onto stage, the ladies made sure to stop and take a pose to the roar of the crowd. Slowly, a wall center stage started to turn to reveal the lovely St. Vincent standing upon a platform with a colorful cityscape behind her. The band kicked into an extended instrumental intro of Digital Witness that kicked off a 20 song set (including encore) and took the crowd on a musical journey that was often reminiscent of a 1970’s dance club filled with deep grooves and layers of great melodies.
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St. Vincent and The Down and Out Downtown Band gave the Indy crowd a solid mixture of fan favorites including “New York”, “Fast Slow Disco”, and “Fear the Future” while still giving the audience great coverage off the new album with singles “Down”, “Pay Your Way In Pain”, “The Melting of the Sun” and much more. Currently out touring through the end of October, the Daddy’s Hour Tour is a fun night out no matter what town your seeing it in.
Setlist: Indianapolis, IN.
- Digital Witness
- Down
- Actor Out of Work
- Birth In Reverse
- Daddy’s Home
- New York
- …At the Holiday Party (followed by a phone call skit)
- Los Angeles
- Sugarboy
- Marrow
- Fast Slow Disco
- Pay Your Way In Pain
- My Baby Wants a Baby
- Cheerleader
- Your Lips are Red
- Live in the Dream
- The Melting of the Sun
Encore:
- Down and Out Downtown
- Year of the Tiger
- Fear the Future
- Outro (It’s Over by Roy Orbison)
show date: 09/10/2021
*Art Rock is a sub-genre of rock music that generally draws it’s influences from jazz, soul, classical music and experimental rock. Often very theatrical in nature, it can often appeal to the artistically inclined.
