Monday, 7/7/97 Indigo girls offer mellow mix of old, new
folk-pop favorites Restless crowd and unmoving, choppy material
dampen show
By Mike Prevatt Daily Bruin Senior Staff Leave it to the Indigo
Girls not to make a spectacle of themselves. The always-earnest duo
performed a two-hour set at the sold-out Greek Theater that was
more relaxing than exciting. This was either soothing or almost
boring, depending on why you came. The Indigo Girls avoided the
special effects and visual pomp and circumstance that usually
accompany today’s big-name concerts to focus on a welcomed intimacy
and emphasis on soulful music. However, the static performance,
accompanied by the occasionally faceless nature of the music, left
many restless and anticipating more during certain parts of the
show. The duo, comprised of Emily Sanders and Amy Ray, showcased
songs from their new album, "Shaming of the Sun," which departs
from the folk-heavy sound of past Indigo Girls releases. "Scooter
Boys" and "Don’t Give That Girl A Gun" were surprisingly dark and
edgy. They also included fan favorites and older material, such as
"3 Hits," "Virginia Woolf," and "Galileo." Yet only half or so of
those numbers created the exuberance usually found at most pop
concerts. Only during their most popular song, the affirming
"Closer to Fine," did the entire crowd rise to the occasion and
sing along. Yet the Indigo Girls aren’t your usual pop band.
Despite the lack of radio and video support, the Indigo Girls have
a sizable fanbase. Their albums, which include "Swamp Ophelia" and
"Rites of Passage," remain some of the most popular and
well-received folk-pop albums today. Their characteristic acoustic
sound can be found emanating from dormitory windows and
coffeehouses all over the country. Their mellow, stripped-down
sound lacks complexity but stands out thanks to its resonant pride.
During their show, many pieces, especially "Chickenman" and "Closer
to Fine," roared like battle cries against arch-conservatism,
insecurity and oppression. This gave parts of the show emotional
power, and incited the crowd’s enthusiasm. A cover of Bob Marley’s
"Redemption Song" drove the feeling home even further. But with
their new, grittier material, the fans often sat down and even
moved about the amphitheater. Not that there was much to look at
any way. The visuals were limited to a fog machine and a few
multi-colored lights. A wider range and mixture of colors would
have made the concert more ethereal, especially in the slower
numbers. The band often limited their actions to guitar strumming
and singing in front of the stationary microphones. Nevertheless,
that’s not always a bad thing. The Indigo Girls may not have fully
utilize the potential of a live- show’s atmosphere, but for many
fans, the excitement came from hearing their favorite songs live.
Despite the flow disruptions between the skillful classics and the
awkward, newer material, the Indigo Girls made use of the Greek
Theater’s relaxed intimacy and offered at least a little bit of
something for everyone. Related Link Indigo Girls Homepage,
official site