Quiet Activists - Indigo Girls

Folk music has gone through many up and downs in the realm of popular music. First gaining traction in the early 1960's, it gave way to the rock n' roll of the 60's and 70's until it was resurrected by artists like the Indigo Girls. Members Amy Ray and Emily Saliers met each other in elementary school but didn't really come together as musical partners until they both transferred to Emory University. Playing in local college clubs, they released their first single in 1985 and were signed to a record label in 1988. Their 2nd album, Indigo Girls, brought them mainstream success and they joined the burgeoning folk-rock movement in the late 1980's along with Tracy Chapman and Suzanne Vega. Utterly contradictory to the layered pop sound of the era, the Indigo Girls continued to release popular albums and although they never truly had a hit single, much of their songs remain popular in folk circles. They have gone on to release 14 studio albums and have returned to releasing records independently. Ray has done 6 studio albums on her own and Saliers just released her solo debut in 2017.  Accompanying their well known music is their passion for social activism. In the 1990's they invited a Native American tribe to tour with them in support of Native rights and heritage. Both Ray and Saliers are lesbian and have been firm supporters of LGBTQ rights throughout their career. They have also fought for the abolition of the death penalty, environmental protection, and the rights of immigrants to the United States. They remain huge figures in the folk world and their outspoken personalities has inspired multiple generations of fans.

In a week that will be filled with loud shows and raucous crowds, the Indigo Girls music was a welcome break from electric performances. Their opener was the War and Treaty and they were the best opener we've had by a good margin. Led by a wounded warrior and his wife, their music harkend to the soul and R&B music of old and although they've only released one album, their future is very bright. The Indigo Girls have dabbled in various genres but remain folk at their core. Often just armed with their acoustic guitars and a violin, they went through some 20 songs that were both pleasant and simplistic. I personally like music that's a little harder-tinged but it's hard to ignore the expert songcraft and effortless melodies in their numbers. They're still great singers and years of performing together has led to seamless harmonies and a compatibility that only comes after hundreds of concerts. Saliers is perhaps the better musician but they are happy to share the limelight with each other. Embedded in their soft folk, however, are fiery passions and several of their songs offered scolding remarks on today's social climate. That dichotomy between happy folk and political statements might seem disjointed but it was all brought together in an emotional and touching way. Nearly 35 years after performing for the first time they've gone through the in and outs of fame; but  one thing has remained constant; their friendship.

My favorite part of the show was when they played their song "Closer to Fine". For a folk, song it brought the house down and closed a great performance!

Looking forward to more shows in the future!

DC

Indigo Girls 

War and Treaty