Fresh off the release of his newest album The King, queer indie folk troubadour Anjimile swung through Boston the other week, his first visit to his former home since summer 2022, when he opened for Tune-Yards at the Sinclair. That performance was the closest he was able to get to touring for his 2020 release Giver Taker (he sadly had to cancel his 2021 headlining tour for that album due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic). The silver lining for that is that this time around he had more material at the ready. 

Since moving to Asheville, NC, the former Boston resident has expanded his sound. While The King undoubtedly keeps a foot firmly in the folk realm, it’s an expansive masterpiece with an almost-symphonic quality. It possesses a darker tone than its the singer’s previous releases, which pervades into the heaviness of the music. 

Swinging by the Institute of Contemporary Art, Anjimile was able to bring a little life to a cold December evening in Boston’s most sterile neighborhood. Inside the ICA’s theater – which overlooks the harbor, providing a stellar backdrop for the performance – the audience slowly took their seats. Having never been inside the theater, I was eager to get an idea of how it would sound. Photocomfort (a.k.a. Justine Bowen) was first to perform. She’s a frequent collaborator of Anjimile’s, as well as a backing singer in his band, so she was a natural pick to kick things off. Her gorgeous voice, piano playing, and occasional harp work was a gentle welcome to the night. She auctioned off her sole piece of merch, a painting she made of someone pouring milk on their own foot for $50. 

Afterwards, Anjimile took stage. His band includes a guitarist, drummer, and two backing vocalists. Soft-spoken between songs, he spent some banter time reminiscing about his days in Boston. Despite it being Friday night, the audience seemed very eager for the gentle intimacy that the space and music afforded. 

Check out all of Harry’s photos from the show below.