Here I Dreamt I Was a Concertgoer

I saw The Decemberists Friday night at the Tabernacle with the Scriveners — Papa Scrivener, Mama Scrivener, and Baby Scrivener, who was attending her first rock concert (you gotta love and respect parents who raise their children properly, and the Scriveners have priorities in check).

I’ve been a fan of The Decemberists since I got Castaways and Cutouts in 2002, but I’d never seen them live — none in my circle were fans, and I didn’t feel driven to see them by myself. Lucky for me, Scrivener has been raving about their shows for months and kept reminding me to get a ticket, and the Northwest doppelganger has yet to stop raving about the show she saw a couple of weeks ago. So I bought. I anticipated. I went.

What. An. Amazing. Show.

Not sure what I was expecting, but Friday night wasn’t it — it was much more. The band was full of fun and so much joy. Yes, the music was glorious. If memory serves, they performed everything from The Crane Wife (which is a wonderful album; go out and pick up your copy today). Every Decemberist had a great time on that stage — jumping up and down, running across the stage, playing in the crowd, climbing on speakers to shake balconied hands. Scrivener says they’ve been looser in previous shows, but I was still enchanted. I’d act the same way if I were on stage.

If you’re wise enough to catch The Decemberists when they come to your town, and you’re torn between catching the opening act, Lavender Diamond, or having one more cocktail at dinner, I strongly recommend the cocktail. Couldn’t stand the precious little miss, not at all. I think she’s trying for a Ditty Bops vibe, but she has neither the natural boppiness nor the good songs to back it up.

After the show, we walked down to the stage so Ella could see it. Decemberist Chris came over to chat, telling us the band saw us at dinner and were impressed with Ella and her Decemberists T-shirt. Tattoos were shared and photos snapped. I think I may take Ella with me to upcoming shows since she attracts the cool kids.

My only complaint? I was a bit disappointed that they didn’t perform “Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect,” one of my ten favorite songs from 2002. But the show was so good, I didn’t think about that until I was halfway home.

If I’d known The Decemberists would be this good live, I’d be crashing on French’s floor right now, after catching them at the 9:30 Club. Anyone up for the Amsterdam or Paris shows in February?

UPDATE: Scrivener has great Decemberists posts here and here.