Venue:
Glasgow O2 Academy
Date: 05/11/2018
To the Weedge, to see Portland’s top popsters. I was slightly apprehensive, as this was the longest I’ve driven since some spinal cord jiggery pokery earlier in the year, but The Decemberists seem reluctant to play in Embra, so it was that or nothing. Glad I made the trip through – accompanied by @ralph of this parish – because The Decemberists turned in a brilliant performance.
While their setlist had the usual Decemberists role call of tragedy, murders, drownings by river spirits, whale swallowing etc. it was an overwhelmingly jolly occasion. Colin Meloy makes for an effective ringleader and the band give every impression of enjoying themselves and being glad to the there. Always helps, I find.
Meloy’s voice is, I concede, a sticking point for many. It sounds like a fragile thing yet is revealed in concert to be rather strong too. It sounds as it does not because of vocal frailty but because it is exactly how he wants it to sound. I like it.
The setlist featured latest album I’ll Be Your Girl fairly heavily, which suited me – and indeed the audience, who contributed a spirited singalong to glam stomper We All Die Young. It struck me that despite a diverse range of styles – prog, electronica, folk, glam rock – they nevertheless sound exactly like themselves.
Good smattering of the back catalogue too, though no We Both Go Down Together, sadly. The Engine Driver featured though, complete with cheery singalong “If you don’t love me, let me know.”
Any suspense re the encore was dispelled by the appearance of a large inflatable whale on the balcony. And there was indeed a joyous rendition of the Mariner’s Revenge Song, complete with said inflatable and audience participation (screaming on being swallowed by a whale).
The Decemberists are a rollicking, entertaining, fun night out. Do go and see them if their tour is playing near you.
The audience:
Diverse. Much as it pains me to say it, there’s a lot of truth in the cliche that Glasgow audiences are more engaged than those to the east. And it does make for a better night, for all concerned.
It made me think..
I can’t think of many bands where there’s such a variation between their studio “image” and their actual live persona. Also interesting that a band who haven’t really made a dent on the charts can fill a venue the size of the Academy with an enthusiastic audience who sang along to many of the songs.
I see that youtube already has a (not bad) video of one song from last night – Severed, from I’ll Be Your Girl:
They missed out Brum this time too which was disappointing. Having been put off by the reviews of I’ll Be Your Girl, I eventually succumbed and found it, in parts, to be some of their strongest material yet. But not enough to drive to Mancs or London. Plus I got told off here for my review of them last time around, having been a bit churlish around the more pantomimish aspects. I fear the sight of the red whale would have seen me off in a flash.
1. Thanks for the review, Lando! (oh and by the way, I apologise for not commenting to your fine review of the Grateful Dead book a few weeks(?) ago.)
2. I had no idea that “Embra” was a slang form of “Edinburgh”. I had to look it up. I assumed that there was some tiny village in Scotland actually called “Embra”. I feel rather foolish.
3. Not only have the Decemberists missed out Brum and Embra on this tour, they have also missed out Stockholm. As they have on every tour they have ever done. I’d love to see Mr Meloy and his pals live in concert, but I’m not sure I ever will, unless I make a special effort and get in an aeroplane to see ’em. Pity.
Fun fact: I own the embra.org domain, which I keep meaning to do something creative with. I had in mind some sort of Edinburgh gig, theatre, eating out reviews type thing but haven’t really got beyond that vague notion. One day.
I would bet that duco doesn’t know what ‘The Weedge’ is either, and if not, I’ll leave it to you to explain.
It’s a long wedge.
Think Brie.
Thought he was banned.
Going to Hammersmith tonight.
Hope there’s not too much singing along – yes, it marks me as a curmudgeon but can I please hear the band and not be distracted by ‘fans’ demonstrating their knowledge. Also, there’s a lot of words there.
Ugh and the whale prop – that everyone will ‘laugh’ at….
Aw come on, at least join in the screams when you get eaten by the whale (oops – spoiler!)
…”fun”….
My key might be in the ignition by then
Maybe I enjoyed my pint of IPA just too much but I have to confess I enjoyed the whale bit, screamed when instructed and joined in with the nautical swinging from side to side.
Not too many “singers-along” near me – or such that i could hear them either.
Great gig. Thought it got better – the first few songs a bit going through the motions. Agree that the new punch tunes sound great live and provide light and shade. Would have liked Lake Song or more of the rocking Hazards Of Love ones, but we did get a bonus Benjamin Franklin song.
Yay! Glad you enjoyed it. By ‘sing-along’ I actually meant the bits where the audience ia actually invited to sing a response. Which I appreciate is not what I said…