Ogden Twilight: St. Vincent

St. Vincent • August 14 • Ogden Amphitheater

Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe

Ogden Amphitheater transformed into a vibrant hub of eclectic sound and energy as St. Vincent took the stage for the Ogden Twilight Concert Series. Known for her avant-garde style and electrifying performances, St. Vincent, whose real name is Annie Clark, did not disappoint the eager crowd that had gathered to witness her live.

The atmosphere at the Ogden Amphitheater was charged with anticipation even before the show began. The Ogden Twilight Concert Series, which has become a staple in the local music scene, brought together fans of all ages, united by their love for innovative and genre-defying music. The amphitheater, with its intimate setting and excellent acoustics, provided the perfect backdrop for St. Vincent’s performance.

As the lights dimmed and the first notes of her set began to echo through the venue, the crowd erupted in applause. St. Vincent emerged clad in all-black attire. Her stage presence was magnetic, commanding attention from every corner of the amphitheater.

St. Vincent’s set blended a lot of her older hits with songs from her latest release, All Born Screaming.   Each song was delivered with precision and passion, showcasing her virtuosity as both a guitarist and a vocalist. The audience was treated to an array of sounds, from the gritty, distorted riffs of “Los Angeles” to the soulful and introspective “New York.” St. Vincent’s band provided the perfect accompaniment, enhancing the intricate layers of her compositions.

Between songs, St. Vincent engaged with the audience, expressing her appreciation for the support and the unique energy of the Ogden crowd. She asked the lighting engineer to illuminate the audience so she could see them.  The audience went crazy.  St. Vincent inquired, “What’s in the water here in Utah?  What’s going on in this gene pool?”.  Her witty banter and charismatic personality deepened the connection with her fans, making the evening feel like an intimate gathering despite the large number of attendees.

There was an odd moment towards the end of the show.  As St. Vincent stopped “Candy Darling” mid-song to call out some audience members in the front row for talking too loud. From my vantage point I couldn’t tell what was going on.  I thought that someone had passed out, or maybe a fight broke out.  Those things can happen at concerts from time to time.  I think the only time I’ve heard an artist call out people talking too loud is at an acoustic show. 

Even though a show like St. Vincent’s can be high volume, when you’re at the front of the stage, your voice can be heard pretty easily by the band. You’re able to talk past the speakers that are going out to the crowd.  I’m sure this was very distracting so I don’t blame St. Vincent for stopping the song to reset.  After the matter was discussed, she started the song over.  

As the concert drew to a close, St. Vincent surprisingly finished her set with the title track from her 2024 release, All Born Screaming. I don’t think the fans in attendance expected this, but they seemed to be tere for it.  Ogden Twilight had once again succeeded in bringing world-class talent to the local stage. St. Vincent’s performance will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the highlights of the series.