Venue:
Union Chapel, London
Date: 01/04/2025
I was looking forward to this one. Sightings of The Decemberists have been rare in these parts for many years (bar a one off glorious 60 mins at last year’s All Points East) This was Colin solo though, a first in Europe? Maybe a chance for older songs, deep cuts etc.
Well he certainly displayed his Anglophile roots right from the start, a cover of the LAs’ Timeless Melody. (“ one of those legendary bands who only released one record…..but at least they released it many times”) At another point in the gig he referenced his obsession with The Waterboys at an earlier age.
After the opening cover, the gig emerged into a mix of his own songs; Tristram and Iseult (from his first band Tarkio), Eli The Barrow Boy, Lesley Anne Levine and We Both Go Down Together from his main act.
Things were building nicely, helped by a mid set singalong to Burial Ground….but then the impetus slipped. I’m as much a fan of a mid tempo murder ballad as anyone, but I couldn’t help feel like we were getting too much of the same thing. There were certainly jauntier Decemberists numbers he could have played to bring some light as well as shade. Grace Cathedral Hill frankly went on a bit, as did Lake Song. And inexcusably his last song of the main set was the length but unworthy California One/Health and Beauty Parade. Probably 10 minutes wasted where 2 good tunes would have been perfect.
The encore began with another British homage; RT’s Vincent Black Lightening. Not strictly necessary but redeemed by his post song wry joke “Those familiar with the original will note that I omit all those flashy finger picking pieces so as not to detract from the narrative”. He obviously had one last song in mind before an audience request for After The Bombs was taken and done well. Then he had run out of time! Sadly the printed setlist had apparently included The Mariners Revenge Somg and Apology Song. Missed opportunities.
At one point Colin did admit that he missed the input of his band mates when writing a setlist. They are good at suggesting changes in musical texture. I think that showed in the gig. I thoroughly enjoyed 60% of it but wished some variation in tempo and material had been more prominent.
Colin, as always, was a genial host and tried to interact with his audience. My experience of the Union Chapel is that often the crowd seem muted by the surroundings, in terms of singing and shouting requests. I was though grateful for lack of crowd chatter during songs.
The audience:
Mostly in the 40 to 70 range. The group of 4 in front of us warned that they might get up and dance. Not this night!
It made me think..
A good setlist is an art form. Some are excellent at it (Richard Thompson a master). Others can forget about how the overall flow will work. It’s not just about playing a lot of good songs.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.