On another beautiful summer evening last week, the Indigo Girls returned for their eighth triumphant appearance at the Lowell Summer Music Series. No other artist has played the Series as often or consistently sold as well as they have!

Amy Ray

Emily Saliers

Amy Ray and Emily Saliers are the faces of the Indigo Girls, the duo they formed in 1985. They showed how their music has staying power by playing their first single from that year, ‘Crazy Game’. This was my first time hearing it that I can recall!

Amy Ray

Emily Saliers

They did something very cool: they asked their fans to suggest songs for this year’s tour. What that meant was that in addition to the songs I expected to hear them play – ‘Closer to Fine’, ‘Galileo’, ‘Shame on You’, ‘Power of Two’ – they played songs such as ‘You and Me of the 10,000 Wars’ which a dedicated fan said he had not heard performed live in at least twelve years.

The Indigo Girls

I believe (and unfortunately I do not have photos to jog my memory) that this was the first time I have seen them perform with a band. What a fantastic band it was!

The Indigo Girls

Lyris Hung played violin and mandolin (or possibly a bouzouki), Lucy Wainwright Roche played guitar, and Jordan Brooke Hamlin played keyboard, electronic drum kit, guitar, trumpet, and probably others I am forgetting! All contributed backing vocals.

Lyris Hung

Lucy Wainwright Roche

Jordan Brooke Hamlin

Amy and Emily are political activists, and the ‘love is love is love is love is love’ message was clearly broadcast throughout the show. It received great applause each time. There was heightened security for this show in the wake of the Orlando tragedy, but as far as I noticed there was only love in the crowd.

Lyris Hung, Amy Ray

At one point they played a song that a couple near me used for their wedding song six years ago. I can only imagine how their hearts burst with joy hearing it played before their eyes!

Amy Ray, Emily Saliers

I love the harmonies Amy and Emily deliver, and the backing vocals contributed much to my enjoyment of the show.

Amy Ray, Emily Saliers

I especially enjoy seeing how much they all love performing. Amy had a huge smile on her face the entire evening (as did Emily, but there is something about Amy’s smile that is extremely infectious)!

Amy Ray

The Girls have a history of bringing interesting opening acts with them (I remember several years ago they brought The Shadowboxers, whom Emily met at a Passover seder, and I loved them). This year was no exception, with Lucy Wainwright Roche opening the show.

Lucy Wainwright Roche

Lucy comes from a musical family which must be daunting! She lives up to her roots though, and is an engaging singer.

Lucy Wainwright Roche

There were American Sign Language interpreters at the show, and I loved watching their expressive interpretations of the music. Even better, Amy acknowledged them by name from the stage! Sharyn and Donnie, you rock!

Sharyn

Donnie

I believe everyone left this show with a greater appreciation of these fine musicians. This was my fifth time seeing them and my love for them and their music grows.

Go see them when you have the opportunity. I doubt you will be disappointed.