Lindsey Stirling “Shatters” SF With Two Sold-Out Shows
In 2010, Lindsey Stirling, the self-proclaimed “hip-hop violinist,” was ridiculed on national television. America's Got Talent judges Piers Morgan and Sharon Osbourne said her music sounded like “drowned rats being strangled,” and that she didn’t have enough talent to fill a theater in Vegas.” Stirling, now 27, recently debuted her second release at #2 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart. She’s also a YouTube sensation with millions of viewers watching her leap and twirl, and she continues to sell out venues across the U.S. and internationally. Morgan and Osbourne, bite your tongues.
Stirling’s current Shatter Me tour visited San Francisco for two sold-out shows at The Warfield (May 16/17). The show began with dramatic drum beats as the violinist bowed behind a sheer curtain that reached the ceiling. Taunting the crowd for several minutes, her wraithlike silhouette was visible on a raised platform illuminated by a large circular video screen. When the curtain finally lifted, the classically trained violinist erupted into the fitting song “Beyond the Veil.”
Wearing a black dress decorated with rainbow sequins and multi-colored scarves, Stirling, like a red-haired hummingbird, flitted across the stage with all of her signature dance moves. She takes short breaks during the three-part show to catch her breath and chats with the audience during a Lady Gaga-inspired on-stage costume change.
“I’m a dancing violinist. I break social norms quite often.”
The concert marked the second anniversary for Stirling and her two-man band, Drew (drums) and Gavi (keyboards). “These are the two older brothers I always wanted… I love these guys,” she fondly told the crowd. The trio sat at the front of the stage to recreate an impromptu street jam they once did of “Transcendence,” with Drew playing percussion on a white plastic bucket.
Lindsey Sterling. Photo: Steve Roby
About 30 minutes into the show, the house lights dimmed as a montage of young Lindsey's home movie clips played on the video screen. The future star declared, “I’m a princess,” while dressed in a fancy outfit, with “Can’t Buy Me Love” by The Beatles awkwardly playing in the background. Later, in a church-like moment, Stirling invited the audience to turn around, introduce themselves to their neighbor, and perhaps even share a hug. Lindsey mentioned she personally knew of three couples who met at her concerts and eventually got married. “All of Me” then played as the full house waved their arms in the air.
After a dance-off between Steve Owen and Pete Styles, Stirling performed “Moon Trance,” while a Michael Jackson “Thriller”-like video played, complete with dancing zombies.
Nearly all of Stirling’s performance is instrumental, except for “We Are Giants,” where she’s joined by Dia Frampton, and the evening closer, “Shatter Me,” which features Lzzy Hale in the music video.
Opening the show was Archis, singer-songwriter Dia Frampton’s new trio. A tender moment occurred halfway through her thirty-minute set when she grabbed and held a young man’s hand, lasting what must have felt like an eternity for the excited fan. Stirling’s 30-state tour travels through North America until mid-July, then resumes in October for the European leg.
Setlists
First Set: Beyond The Veil; Mirror House; Electric Daisy; Night Vision; Heist; Swag; We Are Giants (Dia Frampton on Vocals).
Video Break: Sterling’s home movies with The Beatles “Can’t Buy Me Love.”
Second Set: Zelda; Transcendence; All Of Me; Take Flight.
Dance Off: Featuring Steve Owen and Pete Styles
Third Set: Moon Trance; Round Table Revival; Master Of Tides; Crystalize; Shatter Me.
Band Credits
Keyboards & Keytar: Jason "Gavi" Gaviati
Drums & Percussion: “Drew” Sanderson Steen
Dancers: Steve Owen and Pete Styles
Photos: Steve Roby
