Opportunities like this in the North East are particularly rare, this evening we take our seats in the humongous Hall One at The Sage Gateshead. As Arc Iris take to the stage we’re somewhat unsure what to expect, Jocie Adams is a former member of one of our favourite bands The Low Anthem, and, named for their beautiful folk rock, Arc Iris have inherited some of this.

However, Arc Iris posses something slightly different and their live set could be likened to that of The Dresden Dolls. At times it won't feel out of place in a cabaret club, that said we’re left completely dumbfounded by the delicacy and beauty of Jocie’s voice. It’s an odd performance to sum up but it’s befitting of tonight’s bill, as we anticipate the arrival of St Vincent.

Prior to her appearance a notice is played out, appealing to the fellow fans of analogue entertainment asking people to refrain from recording and photographing the show. A message similar to that which Kate Bush issued prior to her comeback performances. The reason we mention this is that St Vincent is something of a modern day Kate Bush.

Annie Clark is not your average musical artist, she shuffles on to stage in what has become a typically robotic fashion. The thick synth line of ‘Rattlesnake’ echoes out through this huge venue, despite her sleek appearance Annie owns the stage. Collecting her guitar and she quite literally slays the close of the track.

Already in awe, Clark bursts in to the unbelievably amazing ‘Digital Witness,’ in our eyes, a particularly brave move. We firmly believe this is St Vincent's best track to date, however we are later proved wrong as this ladies talents have no bounds; this evening’s performance nothing short of phenomenal, Annie’s delicate blend of electronics and virtuosic guitar playing providing an excellent balance to the evening.

Annie’s ability to put on a show is fantastic, her choreography is spot on and her stage presence is larger than life. Even her on stage banter is somewhat off the wall, though no less brilliant with her conversing with the audience about how when adults look at one another they imagine them as babies. Leaving us slightly puzzled yet still appreciating the musical genius whom is quite clearly bearing her soul in front of us.

Tracks like ‘Laughing with a Mouth of Blood’ and ‘Surgeon’ stand out above the rest. ‘Actor Out of Work’ is arguably a stand out from her back catalogue too, and once again she brutally slays this crowd at every turn, we’re truly are completely blown away. They close out their set with ‘Bring Me Your Loves’, firmly replaced itself as our favourite St Vincent track.

It sums up what has been an amazing evening, so few artists have the ability to conquer this huge hall and tonight St Vincent approached it from a completely different angle. Once again with audience in complete awe, Annie returns to the stage alone to play ‘Strange Mercy,’ the final facet of this evening's show, as she delivers a final beautifully heart-wrenching track.

We leave the venue filled with amazement, almost unable to comprehend the phenomenal evening we’ve just had, one which will go down as the greatest show we’ve seen in a very long time. So few artists have the stage presence and the music to back it up, bringing it back to our point about the equally wonderful Kate Bush. To us, Annie Clark is definitely a modern day equivalent.