You’d think that with the huge amount of shows this fall Ithaca has to take a break eventually, right? Well, apparently not, as once again Castaways was filled to the seams Thursday night with concertgoers. The attraction this time around? St. Vincent. Taking a day off from their tour with Andrew Bird, the band made a pit stop in Ithaca to hypnotize and charm everyone in attendance.

Local act The Red Lions kicked off the night, pumping Castaways full of enthusiasm. Their energy proved to be infectious as the crowd cheered them through the night. And really, who wouldn’t? This is a group of talented musicians who are truly great entertainers. When it looks like you love what you’re doing, an audience can’t help but have a good time. The Red Lions are a key example of what’s so beautiful about Ithaca’s music scene; it’s full of great acts who are passionate about their music and want to share their excitement with everyone.

Annie Clark and her four piece backing band came out and kept that energy rolling all night. Kicking things off with “The Strangers,” it was immediately clear that the band were playing their hearts out. Through the night’s delicate moments, to Annie Clark’s gritty guitar freak-outs, the member seemed fully focused on every note they played—And they weren’t the only ones. The crowd was clearly captivated, only breaking their silent awe to burst out into massive applause between songs. Really, it’s hard to leave a show like this without having to pick your jaw off the floor afterwards.

Pulling mainly from their latest release, Actor—One of this year’s finest albums—the band powered through a haunting, beautiful set. From the pounding ending of “Black Rainbow,” to the stunning coda of “The Party,” everything seemed flawlessly executed. Though St. Vincent’s songs are recorded entirely by Annie Clark, the band had no trouble translating them live. Everything sounded just as full and tight as the recorded material.

After their main set, ending with a breathtaking performance of “Just The Same But Brand New,” Annie Clark returned to the stage and launched into a cover of The Beatles’ “Dig a Pony.” It takes guts to cover The Beatles. And honestly, it takes guts to do it alone on electric guitar. But if there’s one thing that the night proved, it’s that Annie Clarke has guts. She’s a musician who seems fearless. Fearless enough to beat her guitar senseless, or to manipulate an intimidating effect pedal board, or to admit her love of Taylor Swift to an indie rock crowd.

Ending the night with an epic rendition of “Your Lips Are Red” from 2007’s Marry Me, the band left the stage proclaiming the show to be “the best night of their tour.” And to reinforce that, Annie Clark took to Twitter later saying “Ithaca. You are my new favorite.” We can only pray that the band will come back to woo us again soon!

SETLIST:

The Strangers
Laughing With a Mouth of Blood
Save Me From What I Want
Actor Out Of Work
Now, Now
The Party
Marry Me
Black Rainbow
Marrow
Just the Same but Brand New

Encore:
Dig a Pony (The Beatles cover)
Oh My God
Your Lips Are Red

Review by Giovanni Colantonio
Pictures by Angelina Castillo