I’m sure I’m only one of the many that begin to obsessively check the Twilight Concert Series website when the end of spring nears for the lineup of Salt Lake City’s summer festival. After weeks of continual checking, you can imagine my excitement to see that Best Coast was opening for St. Vincent this last week of the festival.
Prior to this week’s concert I had seen Best Coast twice before in Salt Lake City at Urban Lounge. Since this they seemed to fall off my radar, so I was pleased to see this Thursday at the show that they have since expanded their set and added a few more touring members.
Best Coast played a longer set than most opening bands at the Twilight Series tend to, exuding its familiar raw, lo-fi sound and beach vibe. The band, especially members Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno, seemed to really engage with their music. I was pleased to hear new songs from their recent album release California Nights, but more excited about older songs such as “Boyfriend” and “Our Deal”.
However, I must admit that seeing this band in a more intimate venue was a better experience. This is not to insinuate anything negative about the band. As is usual in Twilight Concerts it appeared that a fair amount of the crowd weren’t familiar with the band, rather there to claim standing space for the main act. Near the end of their set, the crowd began expanding and did so throughout the break after Best Coast.
I’ve been a fan of St. Vincent for several years, since her album Marry Me was released in 2007. After reviewing tour dates far too often, imagine my fervor upon finding out that St. Vincent would indeed be closing this Twilight Series season! My fascination with St. Vincent is multifaceted. As I waited impatiently after the end of Best Coast’s set, I rambled to my friends about my fascination and why I believe St. Vincent; or rather post-modern indie-rock queen Annie Clark is the best thing happening in music. After rambling on about how her lyrics provide a social critique toward relationships, gender roles, as well as society’s dependence on technology and information, my friends changed the subject.
Full of excitement, I honestly can’t remember anything they spoke about. Every now and then, I would interject with, “What song do you think she’ll play first?” It was quite clear that I could not think about anything other than that I would be seeing St. Vincent incredibly Soon.
Paranoid to miss even one second of the show, I sat inside the press pit with my cell phone, pen and notebook in hand. I saw the pale pink 3-tier pedestal from so many live performances I had watched online and got even more excited. When the band members entered the stage, a roar erupted from the crowd. I couldn’t help but squeal a bit too. They began their set with Birth In Reverse, but performed a variety from their albums.
After watching a certain number of videos online, I didn’t expect to be overly excited over Clark’s new choreographed dance moves. I was wrong. She jittered across the floor, and a member of the stage crew placed her guitar on her in a way that seemed nearly and perfectly choreographed.
Clark wore jumpsuit that seemed to be leather with holes across its entire surface. Wearing an identical jumpsuit was Toko Yasuda on the keyboard. A few times during the show they danced sharply, completely synchronized.
Photography: Jane Groom
Editor/Writer: Lauren Stratton
