Everyone Soared High Throughout Iluka’s The Wings Tour Concert in St. Louis

— by Carrie Zukoski

Iluka’s The Wings Tour concert brought not one, but two dynamic opening acts along to her stop in St. Louis on the night of the blood moon lunar eclipse that left everyone in attendance at the Duck Room stunned by night’s end. Did the 300 or so in attendance in the packed small room just witness three acts seemingly guaranteed for greatness? Possibly. This concert photographer would not be surprised.

The show kicked off at 7:45 p.m. with Nashville-based (via St. Louis and Texas) Kitty Coen, who was seen before her nearly 30-minute set chatting it up with family who still live in the region (and who she would come spend summers with growing up). With her deep red hair, emerald green satin dress, and silver and black sequined cowboy boots, Coen is not afraid of the spotlight. Without a band to back her on this night, Coen relied on technology to fill in the strings and other instruments on her songs. Dubbed as witchy country rock music, Coen can warble her vocals with the best of them, as on “illinois royalty.” From the powerful, sultry, mesmerizing “bad bad liar” that she prefaced was about an ex, to the jaunty, country-hooked “breakdancing,” Coen has honed her craft and should be an artist on the verge of making it.

During L.A.-based newcomers VANITY’s 25-minute set, aside from snapping too many photos, I wrote down two words: Tim Curry. Little did I know that Tim Curry is one of lead singer Billy Titko’s inspirations. “Him and Liza Minnelli,” Titko told me later as she showed me two tattoos on each of her arms, one of Curry as Dr. Frank-N-Furter and his quote, “Don’t dream it, be it.” And their powerful set proved these up-and-comers are being it. Their sound is a mix of theatrical rock opera à la Rocky Horror Picture Show, as their whimsical “(T)OUCH! portrays while blending in some grungy alt rock on “Experiment” and a ballad-driven, 50s-inspired “Size Two” for a variety of sounds that cross genres and defy pigeonholing. VANiTY offers a vibrant stage presence from the three band members (Billy Titko, Wayde Crawford, and Panda) and two touring support musicians (Brasko and Jay Swag) who made this short set unforgettable.

The all-ages crowd thrust closer to the stage in anticipation of Iluka as her tour manager set the stage with two candelabras and adorned flowers on the mic stand. Dressed in a lacy, bright red, fitted floor-length dress, the L.A.-based, via Australia “witchy cowgirl” singer began her set at 9:15 p.m. and regaled fans with short stories and interactions, such as being excited about the lunar eclipse and performing while it was happening, and beautiful songs for the next hour. Fans and critics have likened Iluka’s voice and presence to that of Stevie Nicks and Adele.

Her soulful vocals with a slight, gritty twang mixed with the catchy, toe-tapping, emotive, outlaw country beats draw you in, grab hold, and won’t let go. The now 34-year-old (who celebrated a birthday this week) has been writing and performing music for nearly three decades and has perfected her sound. From the sultry “Crucify Me” to the anthemic “Haunted One” to the evocative “Wild West,” Iluka won’t be playing small rooms for much longer. Near the end of her set, fans regaled her back by singing her “Happy Birthday” while her drummer, Steph Barker, presented her with a cake (the Internet says her birthday was August 25, so at very least it’s her birthday week).   

The powerful female-fronted night was a true pleasure for music lovers of many genres and one not to be forgotten anytime soon by anyone in attendance. This concert photographer is adding all three acts to her playlist rotation.   

See many more photos here.

Iluka’s setlist can be found here.

VANITY’s setlist is here.