The Decemberists
9 out of 10 - Simply Amazing. Can't wait to see 'em again.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles CA
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The Decemberists w/ The Los Angeles Philharmonic, Band of Horses, Andrew Bird
What has quickly become a new summer tradition in Los Angeles, the Hollywood Bowl has married quirky smart pop with its award winning LA Philharmonic for special performances. Last year was the Phil with Belle & Sebastian and this year was the Phil with Portland troupe The Decemberists who are now in the midst of a select city orchestral tour thanks to the LA Phil. On this triple bill of hand selected indie amazing ness, Chicago’s Andrew Bird and Seattle’s Band of Horses took the opening duties.
It was in the mid seven o’clock hour when Band of Horses took the stage to a pretty good-sized audience at the Bowl. Usually for openers it’s tough to get people in the venue but since the Hollywood Bowl is an incredible destination in itself, people are eager to get there and get the night underway and as the boxes filled up and the picnics were unfolding, BOH delivered a strong forty minute set showcasing many tunes from there debut from 2006 Everything All The Time. Furthermore, the band is set to release a new album on Sub Pop in the near future and tried out some new material to the delight of the crowd.
Next up was Chicago quirkster Andrew Bird who took the stage as a three piece and amazed all with his harmonious blend of pop laced with loops, violins, rotating leslie cabinets and sonic intricacies. Andrew Bird is a not to be missed artist should he be in you neck of the woods.
Alas, the shutters were removed to real the hundred strong LA Philharmonic and The Decemberists modest stage set up. As workers scrambled to put the finishing touches together on the stage, the sun began to dip ever so slightly revealing an orange hue throughout the venue and as darkness crept towards us, Meloy and Co. took to the stage and opened with the gorgeously arranged Crane Wire 1 & 2 and as that wound down, the crew bust into The Infanta of the robust favorite Picaresque. One of the many highlights to 90 minute set was the track “Los Angeles, I’m Yours” which is a jab at the city and it’s inhabitants but nevertheless, got the greatest cheers from the 13,500 attendees.
Other definitive moments emerged when Meloy took of running around the pool circle during “The Perfect Crime” and a full band collapse at the end of “Odalisque” where most members fell to the stage floor with instruments in hand finishing the song to the amazement of attendees and orchestra members alike, garnering a few smiles from the predominantly staunch Phil players. Oh yeah, Colin also asked the crowd to indulge them just once by everyone in the audience waving there cell phones like a lighter from the late seventies arena days and as they did, flickers from cell phones lit up the expanse of the bowl as an acceptance to the greatness they had just heard.
The Crane Wife 1 & 2
The Infanta
We Both Go Down Together
Bagman's Gambit"
Odalisque"
"The Perfect Crime #2
Los Angeles, I'm Yours
Tain (Parts i, ii, iii, iv, v)"
O Valencia!
I Was Meant For The Stage
Chimbley Sweep
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