It was an energetic, enchanting, and charisma-filled concert from one of modern rock’s most acclaimed artists.
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If you asked me if I knew who Annie Clark, more commonly known by her stage name St. Vincent, was prior to 2024, I would say yes, but mainly because I still remember her *iconic* 2019 GRAMMYs performance of Masseducation and One Kiss with Dua Lipa. But the past year was a bit of a St. Vincent 101 for me as I took a deeper dive into her music, such as her exceptional latest album, All Born Screaming.
It culminated in me watching her perform live last January 8 at the Filinvest Tent in Alabang, which not only marked her first-ever show in the Philippines but also the first major international concert of 2025 in the country. And let’s just say, in one and a half hours, St. Vincent captivated me and the hundreds of people in the venue with her rocking world, one I’ll remember for months to come.
ALL BORN STANNING
Starting a rockstar-appropriate one hour late (which was actually caused by technical difficulties at the venue), St. Vincent kept her eagerly awaiting crowd decked in leather, lace, and goth-coded ‘fits in bated breath as the lights dimmed and she and her band came on stage. Even if the show started just past 9:40 PM, the crowd was electric as a lone stage light lit St. Vicent as she sang Reckless in a transfixing intro. Once the band kicked in, there was no going back.
It may have been a weeknight, but St. Vincent gave it her all like she was the headliner of an arena show. It became clear from the first song that her stage presence was no joke as she treated the crowd to electrifying rock performances mixed with raw emotion you’d only get from an artist as dedicated as she is. She commanded the stage with a mix of pure talent and impressive theatrics courtesy of the stage lights and production that fluctuated to each song’s vibe.
She switched from witty and playful to serious and seductive in a snap of a finger to give the audience a show. And speaking of the audience, they too understood the assignment, singing along to the songs and cheering Annie’s name in adoration. St. Vincent was more than willing to give that energy back, with the artist participating in audience interaction by, among other things, occasionally getting close to the barricade to hold fans’ hands and signing a lucky fans’ vinyl of one of her albums.
This energy helped deliver my favorite moment of the concert when she performed New York with the audience singing the chorus word for word. With the artist standing as close as possible to the crowd, a genuine connection between St. Vincent and her Filipino fans was made in a way that was almost spiritual in feeling.
SHOWMANSHIP ON ANOTHER LEVEL
St. Vincent served a one-woman show energy (playing no less than four instruments that night), but what’s even more impressive was her chemistry and rapport with her band. Together with Guitarist Jason Flakner, keyboardist Rachel Eckorth, drummer Mark Guiliana, and bassist Charlotte Kemp Muhl, they came together more like an active unit and less like a touring band playing in the background. St. Vincent would frequently interact with and play off her bandmates which served to enhance the performances even more. And bonus points for the band members getting solo segments as they showcased their individual talents to the crowd, who understandably ate it up.
Weaving between high-octane numbers to more stripped and toned-down pieces, St. Vincent stood on that stage and treated fans to a show that lowkey bordered a religious experience. She chomped hard like the professional that she is. I’ve been blessed to watch my fair share of concerts over the years, and I can confidently say St. Vincent is on the upper tier. It was a genuinely entertaining show and one I didn’t mind going home late on a weeknight for.
For her Manila debut, St. Vincent came through and delivered. It was a fun and electrifying evening as fans and artist locked in for a night to remember. As her Filipino fans hope for the next time they’ll get to see St. Vincent back in the Philippines, they have at least memories knowing their fave didn’t disappoint.
Photos by Karen De La Fuente, courtesy of KARPOS
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