The Grammy Award-winning folk-rock duo kept the audience on its feet for the duration of the packed Meijer Gardens’ late-season show. Review, photos, plus a gallery from Day 3 of Wheatland Music Festival.
As Always, The ‘Power of Two’: Indigo Girls on stage Monday Night. (Photo/Veronica Ann Dearborn)
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With more than three decades and 15 studio albums under their belts, the Indigo Girls have a rich history to explore any time they take the stage.
A loyal sea of fans was more than eager to join along in that journey Monday evening for the beloved duo’s sold-out headlining performance at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
In a recent video statement and subsequent media interviews, long-time creative partners Emily Saliers and Amy Ray have shared that Saliers is managing cervical dystonia and an essential tremor, chronic conditions that have made it harder for her to sing consistently: She’s leaning into physical therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, Botox shots and a vocal coach to manage the impacts.
At Monday’s packed show, long-time creative partners Saliers and Ray faced any uncertainties that have come with those challenges with dignity and aplomb, offering up a stellar, sincere, nearly-20-song, 100-plus-minute set that spanned the decades and touched on numerous high points of a storied catalog and career.
To reinforce the harmonies that have defined the duo since the 1980s, the touring lineup included occasional backing vocals from Lyris Hung (violin) and Jeff Fiedler (guitar).
Breaking out with 1989’s platinum-selling self-titled album and its singles “Closer to Fine” and “Kid Fears,” the Grammy-winning Atlanta duo has been a steady presence over the years, selling more than 15 million records and staying true to causes near-and-dear to their hearts, including LGBTQIA+ advocacy, Indigenous rights and immigration reform (check out the lyrics to set opener, “Shame on You,” for a clear, but catchy, understanding of their take on this current hot-button issue).
Among Monday’s numerous highlights were “Land of Canaan” (rarely played on this tour), a particularly lovely, striped-down “Romeo & Juliet” and crowd-pleaser “Galileo.” The duo brought New York singer-songwriter and show opener Brian Dunne back to the stage to join for a two-song encore that concluded with “Closer to Fine” — a welcome opportunity to hear more from the talented (and charming!) musician.
Missed the show? The Indigo Girls perform Wednesday evening at Meadow Brook Amphitheatre with special guest Linda Perry, of 4 Non Blondes fame. Tickets start at $24.75, available here.
UP NEXT AT MEIJER GARDENS: Switchfoot with Anberlin perform at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16. Tickets start at $67, available here.
PHOTO GALLERY: Indigo Girls, Brian Dunne at Meijer Gardens
Photos by Veronica Ann Dearborn
WHEATLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL WRAP-UP
The long-running, traditional Wheatland Music Festival wrapped up its 53rd celebration on Sunday in Remus, Michigan, after being blessed with wonderful weather and memorable performances over three days by international and regional stars.
Check out a recap and photos of Days 1 and 2 here, with a photo gallery from Saturday night and Sunday performances below.
PHOTO GALLERY: Wheatland Music Festival, Night 2 and Day 3
Photos by Anna Sink
