Concert: The Decemberists (Night 1)

The Decemberists haven't played a show since their two epic back to back nights at McMenamins Edgefield back in 2011. They played the Boston Calling music festival on May 24th before their two sold out nights at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland on the 29th and 30th to benefit the Victory Academy. Victory Academy is a school in the Portland metro area specifically for kids on the autism spectrum; it has seen so much success that it is in desperate need of expansion which is what the shows were benefiting.

The show was ticketless in order to try and curtail the rampant scalping, meaning that there was a two ticket limit per credit card, and to get into the show you had to have the card used to purchase the tickets present along with ID. For both of the shows there were regular admittance tickets, and special VIP tickets that got you a signed special edition poster, a pre-show meet and greet with the band and some food, and early entry into the venue.

The first night I had just a regular admittance ticket, but I still ended up front row and center due to some very cool people I met who had the VIP tickets, and a funny coincidence: Three years ago at one of the back to back nights at the Edgefield my sister and I stood next to a guy who had come all the way from Alaska. He was at the front and center, and actually remembered us from the show three years ago. As it turns out, there was a picture taken of the show that was used in the album booklet  for their live album and there are only about four people visible. My sister, the Alaskan guy, and I, are all clearly visible! This photo is currently their Facebook cover photo

Before the show started, a security guard came out and gave a loud (non microphone) announcement to the front rows saying that there were no photos or videos per request of the band. People adhered to it too!

Laura Veirs came out and played a short set right at 8pm. She played the first few songs with just her and her guitar, then The Decemberists (minus front man Colin Meloy) came out, and accompanied her for the rest of the excellent set.

Before the show, the founder and one of the teachers at Victory Academy came out (with an introduction from Colin) and talked a bit about the school and its goals. And then the moment everyone had been waiting for: The Decemberists came out to great whoops and cheers and immediately started into the first act of the night - the entire Castaways and Cutouts (2002) album.

It sounded excellent, and there was - of course - some banter between songs because Colin couldn't help himself. The first half ran very smoothly save for a few minor tangles which I'm guessing were simply due to not playing for a while. During Cautionary Song Colin messed up some of the lines, but he brushed it off and the crowed loved it. He also really got into California One/Youth and Beauty Parade - laying down on the ground while playing guitar, and refreshing the drummer, John Moen, with some water (pouring it in his mouth/all over his face).

They took a 20 minute break between the sets, then came back out to play another thirteen songs. At one point someone yelled out "Freebird" and Colin went on a short rant about his involvement in MACOF (Musicians Against the Calling Out of Freebird - more info here). He sang the short ditty "Hank Eat Your Oatmeal" - a song about getting his son to eat breakfast - which went into Calamity Song.

During O Valencia he went into a quick verse of "the worst song in the world" Dracula's Daughter, and before 16 Military Wives they went into the Doobie Brothers song Dixiland, and during the final 'duh duh duh''s, Colin had the audience change the volume level of singing, had us whisper it, and then finally just think it.

The performance was wonderful, and everyone had a good time. It was a spectacular comeback, and a great first night of their back to back shows which left me eagerly awaiting the second night, and marveling in the euphoria from the first night.