A crowd grew on Main Street headed to see Sixpence None The Richer at The Ark, located in the heart of Ann Arbor. Outside, a group of street musicians played “Friend of the Devil” on the blocked-off street corner with an A2 Fall Streets poster framing them as if they were the concert people had shown up for. On the way into The Ark through its fairy doors, prints of legendary artists were posted across the glass. Students and families gathered in the cold Midwestern city of Ann Arbor, visiting from all over the nation for the reunion tour of Sixpence.
Sixpence None the Richer fans cheer as the band makes its way onto the stage. Meleck Eldahshoury/Daily. Buy this photo.
Bringing the folk history of The Ark to life, Sixpence None The Richer reunited in their We Are Love Tour, stopping once in Ann Arbor with singer and songwriter Leigh Nash, guitarist Matt Slocum, bassist Justin Cary and drummer Dale Baker. Guitarist Steve Hindalong, founding member of The Choir, joined them as well. Known for their most popular song “Kiss Me,” Sixpence brought the warmth and sound of New Braunfels, Texas by playing “Rosemary Hill,” “Julia” and “There She Goes” and a cover of “Midnight Sun.”
Matt Slocum, guitarist of Sixpence None the Richer, performs on the stage of The Ark in Ann Arbor. Meleck Eldahshoury/Daily. Buy this photo.
Sixpence None the Richer takes the stage at The Ark in Ann Arbor. Meleck Eldahshoury/Daily. Buy this photo.
Nash found her space on the stage with a magical presence, dressed in silver-sequined, bell-bottom pants and a flowy white dress layered under a black leather dress embodying life and laughter. Laying over her chest, a red heart necklace conveyed message of spreading love. Her expressive style, along with her honest and free spirit, brought a rare and unique happiness to the stage as she quickly became the forefront of the show.
Leigh Nash, lead singer of Sixpence None the Richer, performs on stage of The Ark in Ann Arbor. Meleck Eldahshoury/Daily. Buy this photo.
Sixpence None the Richer plays on the stage of The Ark in Ann Arbor. Meleck Eldahshoury/Daily. Buy this photo.
Leigh Nash, lead singer of Sixpence None the Richer, looks out into the crowd on the stage of The Ark in Ann Arbor. Meleck Eldahshoury/Daily.
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Nash told the audience accounts of her father, whom she described to be “her biggest fan.” She relayed one story in which he was on his way to one of her shows but had to stop at a motel, unable to make it any further. She describes that particular performance to be the hardest of her life, rushing to her father afterward. Her father’s calls to her often began the same; on the answering machines, he was always “almost out of minutes.” Nash brought the memory of her father alive as she performed “Don’t Let Me Die In Dallas,” introducing us to the light and energy he brought to her.
Sixpence None the Richer poses for a photo with the crowd on the stage of The Ark in Ann Arbor. Meleck Eldahshoury/Daily. Buy this photo.
After their final song, “Kiss Me,” the band returned to the stage for an encore. Leading into their title and final song, “We Are Love,” Nash emphasized the importance of leaving behind conflict and instead sharing feeling and love with one another. Before their final exit from the stage, the band joined the crowd for a photograph. Entering The Ark into a magical fairytale, Sixpence left us with an important urgency in life and love.
Leigh Nash, lead singer of band Sixpence None the Richer, leaves the stage of The Ark in Ann Arbor, ending the show. Meleck Eldahshoury/Daily. Buy this photo.
The final added set piece for Sixpence None The Richer’s We Are Love Tour. Meleck Eldahshoury/Daily. Buy this photo.
Staff photographer Meleck Eldahshoury can be reached at melda@umich.edu.
The post Scenes From the Stage: Sixpence None The Richer appeared first on The Michigan Daily.
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