The Decemberists

After an hour in the parking lot drinking tallboy Deviant Dale’s, my earlier buzz had matured into something more. I was slightly drunk. The storm had left muddy trials and sloppy concert-goers behind, but it hadn’t stopped the show. Colin Meloy graced us with his presence almost an hour and a half after Britt Daniels and the boys from Austin left us. Looking much different than last time I saw him, Meloy was sporting a pretty impressive beard to go along with his 3-piece suit. He appropriately introduced himself to the sold-out crowd with “The Singer Addresses His Audience”. The thousands of people who braved the storm just to see him sing those words made the song come to life. Hearing the collective voice join him to pledge itself as steam rose from the wet stage, “Cause we know, we know, we belong to you”, was nothing less than magical. The rest of The Decemberists joined him as the song built around us… eliminating any doubts as to why we stuck around.

For the next 90 minutes Colin and his Portland collective took us on an adventure. Barnett and her band were streamlined folk fury. Spoon was a good ol’ guitar rock show. The Decemberists were something else altogether. Stand-up bass, accordion, harmonica, backup singers…and more importantly, stories. Stories from here, there and out of this world. From now, then and somewhere out of time. The Decemberists do not shy away from weighty material (the 15 minute “Crane Wife” segment), but they always balance everything to the full enjoyment of those who are willing to participate. Even in my intoxicated state, they didn’t lose me for a minute.

The right decision was made by removing the white backdrop that the other bands used, so all movement was shadowed against the rocks behind them…creating a theatric setting for a theatric band. I honestly don’t remember any of the stage banter, or details about the setlist (see below for what I got off setlist.fm), but I can say that they covered songs from across their whole discography and that we were singing and dancing along with every one of them. I also know they ended the main set with “A Beginning Song” and it was not the first time I questioned my lukewarm response to the new album. As the lyrics rose to the back of the amphitheatre, “I am waiting, should I be waiting?”, everyone in attendance knew they made the right choice earlier in the evening. But at that point it was time for us to go. We’d been at Red Rocks for seven hours and we were tired. Missing out on the encore was something we would probably regret, but with a whole season of Red Rocks still in front of us, it was a regret we were willing to live with. Here’s to the rest of my favorite season in Colorado! And here’s to hoping Mother Nature is booked somewhere else for the rest it!

- See more at: http://ilistensoyoudonthaveto.com/2015/05/29/the-decemberists-spoon-courtney-barnett-red-rocks-05-27-15/#sthash.Pr7Q6Q4L.dpuf

Wednesday 7th November, Hammersmith Odeon, London, the Decemberists. I think this is the fifth time I have seen this band over the last ten years and they have always consistently delivered. Whether it’s a full rendition of the epic masterpiece of ‘The Hazards of Love’ or the usual magpie picking of assorted tracks from throughout their whole back catalogue they always deliver a great fun show.

Led by the enigmatic Colin Melloy who is the glue that holds the show together, he is a witty raconteur between songs engaging the audience that welcomes us into their own private party transforming this 5000 person venue into an intimate club. Melloy has a very unique voice that sounds more like a British folkie than an American which is why it probably lends itself to the couple of sea shanties we hear later in the set.

The Decemberists hailing from Portland, Oregon, (must get across there) are a six piece tonight with most of the usual suspects in place. All are talented multi instrumentalists and it’s a shame tonight that the sound guy seemed a little off the pace, missing queues for example when Jenny Conlee hits the xylophone or the beginning of Chris Funk’s saxophone solo. Minor gripe aside its two hours of quirky pop rock where they regale us with tall tales of butchers, cutters, killers, Queens, Mariners and whales.

As with all Decemberists shows there is much crowd participation tonight with plenty of singalongs with varying success especially with ‘We all die Young’ which the audience eventually got right.

Selfishly I would like to have heard more from Hazards of Love but on reflection that album needs to be heard in its entirety so this opens up the setlist to tracks from throughout their career. That said the bulk of the show is from new album ‘I’ll be your girl’ and although it’s a cliché these new songs really come to life live and build on the studio versions. This is especially true of ‘Severed’ and ‘Sucker’s Prayer’.

No Decemberists show would be complete without set closer ‘The Mariners Revenge Song’ where we scream out our loudest shriek as we are eaten by an inflatable whale that swims around the stalls tonight.

Another great night in the company of these talented musicians who show that you can produce a super show and have fun with it too.

Keep on rockin y’all

Friday 20th February. Brighton Dome. The Decemberists. Its day two in a rainy Brighton with the day spent sampling hop based drinks in the olde English town of Lewes. A man down today with Mr Head venturing back up norf’ and so it’s the three amigos.
The Decemberists are a five piece folk rock band from Portland, Oregon and tonight they are joined by a couple of backing singers/instrumentalists. There’s are expectation form the three of us for better things after the Ryan Adams gig but the evening doesn’t start well with the fire alarm going off ten minutes before show time and an announcement to evacuate the building. It’s a false alarm but there’s a 25 minute delay to the start. Tonight is already going to be tight getting home as we must get the 23.36 from Brighton back to London.
After some stirring intro music Colin Meloy appears onstage with acoustic guitar and opens the show with a track from their new album ‘What a beautiful world what a terrible world’. The band joins him on stage and they flip flop a couple of songs from this and their last album the REM friendly ‘King is Dead’. The room is buzzing the energy levels tonight are a stark contrast to the previous night. There’s an excellent three song segue from my personal favourite album ‘The Hazards of Love’ with the excellent rockier number ‘The Rakes Song’ standing out.
There’s crowd participation galore with an extended la de dah de dah sing off between the balcony and stalls through ‘16 Military Wives’ and a great rapport between the band and the audience. It’s a talented bunch of multi instrumentalists at the top of their game. The Decemberists never fail to deliver and deserve a wider audience. We nip off before the last song of the encore and head back on the midnight train going anywhere with the alarm clocks hands closer to 2 than 1 in the morning when I finally reach home.

The Decemberists are a class act. They understand the expectations from an audience and how to keep a show moving. One of the most aggressively touring bands I've come across, they've had many opportunities to refine the parts of their set that work and those that don't.

I've seen them (as well as side and solo projects) over 25 times in the last 10 years. They are true show-persons and talented musicians, soloing is on the cards, but not obtuse wankery. Most songs are performed fairly literal to the albums. There are some flourishes and embellishments added here and there but if you know the songs off the album you will be totally pleased.

Expect a seriously engaged audience, with most of the crowd knowing and singing along to EVERY song. This is part of the experience, and they encourage it. While I haven't seen it in recent shows, it used to be a common place during performances of "Mariner's Revenge Song" for the band to come out into the audience and perform part of the instrumental set, usually diluting into some chaos, returning again for a grand finish. Bringing fans on stage to fill in parts of anarchy during Chimbley Sweep is something to look forward to, and a reason to be at the front if you're feeling courageous.

Every show is delivered as a reason to remember it and take it home with you to revel in for the days to come. They deliver consistently each and every time, they're one of those bands that you can tell just enjoy performing and are thrilled to be doing so.

The Decemberists are dedicated to touring, there is no doubt about this. Since their incarnation in 2000 it feels like they have never been off the road and this has allowed them to mould a live show of near perfection due to continuous experimentation and development with setlist. They have also had recent commercial success with albums such as 'The King Is Dead' and 'The Hazards of Love' yet do not have any big 'hit' as such so they are able to freely choose whatever music they like to perform and the audience are likely to know every verse.

From the beginnings of 'Leslie Anne Levine' the crowd know they are in for a fantastic set as the band perform as one slick piece. There are such a range of instrumentalists everyone feels integral to the operation. The indie folk sounds are sincere and engaging whilst Colin Meloy knows how to interact with his audience and allows respite between the often intense renditions.

The final rendition of the ever popular 'June's Hymn' and early single '16 Military Wives' leave the audience applauding rapturously as the band leave the stage clearly reluctantly.

Reminds me of: The Jayhawks (definitely their previous albums: compare Down by the Water with Real Light),
but also REM, the Levellers (Islands eg is a folk ballad of which the Levelers also have a few), someone told me Uriah Heep (I have to check this one), and - certainly their last album with Belle and Sebastian.

Very Strong: his voice. Strong voice, remains in your ears, even months later. Makes the group unique.

Very very strong: the organ --> phantastic musician

Risky: his voice: stay within your "timbre" = perfect. Don't go to the high tones; you risk to tumble down.

Conclusion: no new sound, but very recognizable 70ies, 80ies, 90ies. Congrats they dare using this

Some advice:
(1) Listen to their music when you drive to work; it makes you happy.
(2) Don't put the Decemberists on the list in a small tent on a small stage somewhere in the corner of Pukkelpop. They deserve the main stage in a full house in Dranouter.

My score: 9/10 - i'm a promotor

If you're even a mild fan of The Decemberists, go and see them live. Go go go go go. I cannot emphasise this enough.

It would be easy for a modern sea-shanty band from hipsterville, USA to take themselves very seriously. I was expecting minimal banter and very little humour.

Boy was I surprised. It was one of the funniest, most engaging energetic performances I have ever seen (I have seen a lot of bands). Colby kept the audience in the palm of his hand and dialled the audience participation up to 11. Usually I hate that kind of thing, but the way it was executed was perfect, from having the crowd sing along to being swallowed by a whale during the second encore, the 12 minute Mariner's Revenge Song.

They played a 2 hour set, well after curfew, and it wasn't enough. I could have stayed all night.

I only wished they had played The Tain in all 5 parts, but maybe that would be asking too much.

First time seeing the Decemberists and they were great. Colin Meloy's stage banter had the crowd smiling and laughing for most of the night, and the crowd were totally into the music.

The set was pretty heavy with songs from the new album as you might expect and I would have loved to have heard any of the Crane Wife parts 1, 2 and 3, but other than that the set went down well.

Highlights include the Island, played in its entirety; and On the Bus Mall, a personal favourite that made me melt on the night.

I feel sorry for those who left after the first encore as they missed the band come back and play the Mariner's Revenge which was a blast.

Overall, these guys know how to put on a show and I'd recommend even casual fans to go if the opportunity arises, they sound great live and Meloy doesn't miss a note.

Big thumbs up!

Lucius, the opening brand, was brilliant, with gorgeous harmonies from their album "Wildewoman."

The Decemberists' Colin Meloy was a terrific showman, very skilled vocally and a solid guitarist, who engaged the crowd with witty, funny asides and sing-alongs. Song choice was a little surprising to me, toggling between well-known songs and somewhat tedious, overlong ballads. Toward the end, they built up to a crescendo of increasingly uptempo songs with the crowd on it's feet, only to end with two slower numbers that were unremarkable - in my opinion, they should have ended at the peak, when the crowd was standing and dancing. In the end, though, very much enjoyed the show; great bands.

Was pretty disappointed that they played the entirety of The Hazards of Love without announcing that that was their intention. I thought I was in for a night of all of my favorites, but instead played 'Hazards' cover to cover. They played a few fan favorites at the end, but I felt cheated. It felt like since the Wednesday show was their third at Brooklyn Steel -- that they grew board with the previous set lists, so decided to please themselves, rather than those who had trekked to a warehouse in Brooklyn to see them.