Mitski delivers mesmerizing performance at Showbox SoDo
Sometimes we wait for specific shows with great anticipation and Mitski Miyawaki has been one of them this year. The indie rock phenom known mononymously as Mitski is currently headlining a sold-out U.S. tour behind her fifth album, Be the Cowboy, which was released to further critical acclaim back in August categorizing her among the top artists of the year.
The night was started by an upbeat duo Overcoats that intrigued the packed Showbox SoDo. They played tunes from their debut album, YOUNG, as well as sharing a few new tracks they have been working on. Their chemistry and energy worked well together and we’re glad we caught their set.
The stage was quickly setup for the main act to take the floor and other than the instruments, it was left pretty open. Mitski stepped in the middle, standing with a mic opening the night with “Remember My Name,” and “I Don’t Smoke.” The singer has put away her bass for this tour; she needs her hands for the various performance art pieces she creates over the duration of her show. What she is creating is completely mesmerizing and in perfect harmony with her heartfelt words that pierce right through you. She further proves that she is an artist with many layers; many being peeled away as the show progresses.
It was Halloween night and even though Mitski chose not to dress up, which she apologized for, a few of her band members did. We did see a few cowboys/girls as a smart pun from her album that night. Behind her and the band was a triptych of screens that projected various graphic visuals during the night. It was simple but more than enough to complement the rest of the visual aspect paired with her songs.
It’s clear that even though this record is her most optimistic yet, it still holds a lot of the same themes her previous ones have about loss, love, anxiety, feeling alone, and not fulfilling that love you have always wanted. Highlights included, “Dan the Dancer,” “Once More to See You,” “Nobody,” and my currently favorite, “Geyser.” The audience stood quiet as she performed falling into her soft spoken words and probably recreating moments of angst in their minds that have long passed. Perhaps they were dreaming of the future ones they might get to live.
She returned for her encore thanking her fans and noting that her job wouldn’t exist without them and that she owes them her life. What a wonderful message to receive as part of the audience and how relieving it is to know that someone can express all that you perhaps can’t find the strength to say yourself. Her last songs were “Two Slow Dancers,” and “Goodbye, My Danish Sweetheart,” ending a magical night by a magical creature.
Check out more photos from the show HERE.