The Decemberists At Stubbs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I invited Steven to join Amy and I for the Decemberists concert. Steven had never heard of the Decemberists, but he said that if I felt like it was something he should see, he would see it. It was a concert, not missing evidence in the Kennedy assassination, but I suggested he would probably enjoy it.

While he was waiting in line he got into a conversation with the people in front of him, and despite not actually being able to remember the name of the band he was there to see, convinced them that he was a superfan. So much so, that when Steven realized he’d left his wallet in a golf cart somewhere, they simply gave him an extra ticket because they really wanted it to go to a ‘true fan’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m not sure what they would say if they knew how many times during the show he said that the Decemberists sounded like Rush. (”Kind of Rushlike, aren’t they?”, “Really reminds me of Rush”, “You hear that? You’re telling me you don’t hear Rush?”) If you’re not familiar with the Decemberists, there’s a number of ways you could describe them, but you wouldn’t be far off if you started by saying that they are pretty much the opposite of Rush. But that’s why you ask Steven out to things, because he wrangles free tickets and then mangles comparisons.

The show itself was great. The opening act, Lavender Diamond, featured a woman with a gorgeous voice and trouble stringing together sentences between songs, which was forgiven when she explained that she was from LA. The Decemberists may not have sounded like Rush, but they were fantastic. Highlights included a pink light bathed version of Shankill Butchers (couldn’t really dial in the red), singer Colin Meloy snagging a cell phone from an audience member mid song, dialing, and putting a closing chorus through the person on the other end, and a show closing, audience participation version of 16 Military Wives.

Also, I think Scott’s old roommate Emily is the woman on keyboards and accordian, which would make her an obstitrician and a musician. Her parents are surely proud.

Various photos, including Amy in the first concert T shirt she’s felt compelled to buy in… ever, are included for educational purposes above.