Best Concert

My favorite concert I've ever been to has changed a lot over the years, but in 2009 that changed when I saw The Decemberists perform the entire Hazards Of Love album at the Edgefield in Troutdale.
I've seen The Decemberists 6 times, and every time I feel like they couldn't get any better, but they blow my mind every time.

Since Hazards Of Love is a concept album with a pretty complex plot line, seeing them play the entire album front to back was amazing. Here's a link to an explanation of the story: http://www.firsttube.com/read/the-decemberists-the-hazards-of-love/

Shara Worden (of My Brightest Diamond) and Becky Stark (of Lavender Diamond) were guest vocalists on the album playing the Forest Queen and Margaret, and were both performing with the band during the tour.

When they played The Rake's Song (a short little gruesome story about a single dad killing his three kids after his wife dies during childbirth), everyone onstage save for Colin Meloy on guitar and Nate Query on bass had their own drum and played along with the song creating an amazing and powerful sound.

Here's a video of them playing it:

It was a magical show, and on top of playing the entire album, they came back for an encore of 7 more songs. If you ever get the chance to see The Decemberists live, JUMP ON IT. They don't disappoint, and every show is incredible.

Here's a video from the concert (The Wanting Comes In Waves/Repaid):