We arrived at the Crystal Ballroom shortly after 9. Upon arriving, we were surprised to see how empty the room was. Despite the fact that PB&J sold out the Doug Fir last time they were in PDX, they were unable to fill this larger venue. The Crystal has about five times the capacity of the Doug Fir, and the room was only half full. The lack of audience didn't take away from PB&J's show though.
They started off the first half of their set strong with "Let's Call It Off". A few songs from their previous albums were played,
including the high energy "(I Just Wanna) See Through". The crowd seemed somewhat uninterested in the middle of the set, but PB&J brought their A-game for the latter songs.
"Young Folks" was performed with a little help from two members of The Clientele, Mark and Mel. Mel filled in Victoria Bergsman's part quite beautifully. It was a wonderful dynamic between Peter's shimmying and shaking in contrast to Mel's coyly swaying.
PB&J saved their best for last with a 15 minute super extended version of "Up Against the Wall". Everyone in the audience was rocking to this one. In the middle of the breakdown, Bjorn made his way down into the crowd and let a few lucky people pluck his bass. Oh Bjorn, you stud! All in all, PB&J put on a satisfyingly fun show.
"Young Folks"
"Objects of My Affection"
- predatory wasp
Bonus Repost: Peter Bjorn And John - Young Folks (Datashat Remix)
Labels: CRYSTAL BALLROOM, INDIE POP, LIVE, PETER BJORN AND JOHN, THE CLIENTELE
Bloc Party took to the stage promptly at 11pm. As the first chord to "Song for Clay" was struck, the crowd instantaneously compressed forward about 20 feet. And when the drum beat kicked in, the entire room was resonating, spring-loaded floors and all.
The set consisted of pairs of songs from the new album interlaced between songs from the old one. The clapping segue from "Waiting for the 7:18" into "Banquet" got the crowd pumped up.
Kele dedicated "Sunday" to the girl working the t-shirt booth.
Bloc Party added "The Pioneers" to their set for the first time this tour. Kele's voice was full and energetic the entire night.
Setlist:
Song for Clay (Disappear Here)
I Still Remember
Positive Tension
Blue Light
Hunting for Witches
Waiting for the 7:18
Banquet
This Modern Love
Like Eating Glass
The Prayer
Uniform
So Here We Are
Encore:
Sunday
She's Hearing Voices
The Pioneers
Helicopter
Videos:
"Song for Clay (Disappear Here)"
"Blue Light"
"This Modern Love"
"Uniform"
"Sunday"
"She's Hearing Voices"
"Helicopter"
- predatory wasp
Labels: BLOC PARTY, CRYSTAL BALLROOM, INDIE ROCK
"The Crane Wife 3"
Just a quick thanks to predatory wasp here for covering both nights (10/17 & 10/18) of The Decemberists at Crystal Ballroom!
"The Gymnast, High Above the Ground"
"The Engine Driver"
"O, Valencia!"
"Culling Of The Fold"
"We Both Go Down Together"
"Sixteen Military Wives"
"The Legionnaire's Lament"
Labels: CRYSTAL BALLROOM, INDIE POP, INDIE ROCK, REVIEW, SHOW, THE DECEMBERISTS, VIDEO
The Dresden Dolls were accompanied by two live dancing dolls
throughout the show. Highly entertaining.
The Red Paintings followed by Jason Webley opened the night. Webley got the entire crowd energized with his accordian and caustic voice. According to him, the quickest way to get fucked up is to point your finger in the air, stare at it, and spin around 12 times.
Trash McSweeney of The Red Paintings accompanied The Dresden Dolls on stage for their rendition of "Mad World" during the encore. Earlier in the set they brought back Jason Webley to sing some Bon Jovi and break down the song analytically after each verse.
Amanda and Brian were tight as usual, and their sound filled Crystal Ballroom nicely.
Setlist:
Sex Changes
Gravity
Missed Me
Modern Moonlight
Coin-Operated Boy
The Jeep Song
Mein Herr
Livin' On A Prayer
Mandy Goes To Med School
Backstabber
Delilah
Mrs. O
Bad Habit
Sing
Encore:
Astronaut (New Song)
Mad World
Half Jack
Girl Anachronism
"Sex Changes"
"Mad World"
"Girl Anachronism"
Dresden Dolls - Girl Anachronism
Dresden Dolls - Half Jack
Dresden Dolls official site
Dresden Dolls on MySpace
On a side note, I'd like to welcome new Let's Sexy Fighting team member predatory wasp! He will be covering events in the Portland area and is the man behind this post.
Labels: CABARET, CRYSTAL BALLROOM, INDIE POP, REVIEW, SHOW, THE DRESDEN DOLLS, VIDEO
