New London and the Garde Arts Center were recently blessed by a performance from the Indigo Girls, and after seeing them for the second time this year, I can say for sure that they aren’t going anywhere.

I think it’s worth mentioning how unique the venue was. The Garde Arts Center was made in 1985, but the actual Garde Theater was built in 1926. The interior was inspired by Moroccan architecture of the time, and it brings such a warm and inviting feel. The theater also got redone recently, and it looks fantastic.

The night started with the opener, Bitch, who unapologetically referred to the audience as “the gays” for her entire set. She was so upbeat and lively, and her performing style is in your face in the best way possible. She cracked a lot of jokes about her life, her performing, and the state of the world in general. Her music was pretty experimental and much different than what most of the audience came to see, but that didn’t stop me from cracking up and thoroughly enjoying her show. She’s also bringing a one-woman show Off-Broadway called “Bitchcraft,” which I have high expectations for.

When Amy Ray and Emily Sailers took the stage, the theater erupted. It definitely took me back to when I saw them perform with Melissa Ethridge over the summer at The Mann Center, one of Philadelphia’s best outdoor venues. Unfortunately though, Emily’s voice is still not what it used to be. It’s kind of the elephant in the room, but her range has simply depreciated with age. However, it didn’t dampen my, or basically anyone else’s fun at this show.

The Indigo Girls started the night off with a classic, “Hammer And A Nail,” which is also the first song off of their third album, “Nomads • Indians • Saints.” The crowd got involved immediately, and the song’s upbeat guitar and catchy hook really lends itself to being the first song in a concert set.

The duo played a pretty diverse set list, with some deep dives along with their hits. Out of their more known songs, I really enjoyed “Power Of Two” and “Shame On You.” These songs kind of have opposite vibes, with “Power of Two” being a slower song with a lullaby-ish quality. The hook is especially adorable, saying how they’ll tackle any problem in their way by, “Multiplying life by the power of two.” However, “Shame On You” is a number that got everyone on their feet, and for good reason. It has an infectiously great hook (like most of their songs if I’m being real), like one you’d chant around a campfire.

I also got put on to a few new songs I’d never heard of before. The one that stuck out the most was “Go,” and it might’ve become my favorite song from them. It’s much harder than any other Indigo Girls song I’ve heard, and in their live performance they even gave Amy an electric guitar. The post-chorus riff is literally perfect. They also brought Bitch back out on stage to play backing violin, and she did a little monologue in the middle about sticking up for the environment and queer rights. Both acts shared these strong messages at various points of the show, which definitely moved me and a lot of the audience, who cheered a ton during those parts.

The Indigo Girls ended the show with the band’s biggest hits, “Closer To Fine” and “Galileo,” which were definitely the ones I knew the best. These last two songs were the most special because literally every person in the room was on their feet, clapping and singing along. It brought this overwhelming sense of community, and if they didn’t do it the first time I saw them, the Indigo Girls have earned a lifelong fan out of me.