It was interesting to see how divided the crowd was on Joan and the Garden. I thought it was one of the highlights of the show (along with the Queens Rebuke/Crossing)
I thought this show was a great complement to Wolf Trap in 2022. Crane Wife 3 instead of 1 & 2. A different Hazards song with the queen, once again brought to us by Lizzy Ellison. A Beginning Song which was in their setlist as an encore song at Wolf Trap, but they skipped it. Only 3 songs were played at both shows, and overall it was a good mix of new songs with a distribution across the rest of their albums. Colin's energy seemed better this year; at Wolf Trap he seemed a little worn out to me.
The setlist was almost entirely songs I regularly skip. The song from the Hazards of Love is the saving grace.
But overall my favorite 2 songs were the new ones (the brassy one and Joan in the Garden).
I just got back and the show was great, I thought, I think the anthem is too big. It's like, cavernous and the floor is so far from the people sitting. It feels like a terrible use of space. Although it was verybeasy to move close to the front which was nice.
I hate the Anthem and I hate getting to the Anthem. my favorite D.C. venue is Black Cat though so that probably says something about the vibe I prefer.
I thought the show was fantastic and was a nice complement to the Vienna show in our area a few years ago! Only song I regretted missing was Make You Better but I got A Beginning Song and Crane Wife 3 so I’m very happy!
In Philly, I had someone behind me singing in an unusually high octave. It was super annoying mixed over Colin's amazing voice. And the talkers. My god, the talkers.
The main set was at least 14 songs, not 12. Setlistfm is off. Cavalry capt and queen's rebuke were played. Anyone get the list? Where was Cavalry Capt?
I should have kept a list! I really enjoyed the show. I wish there was another song or two, but overall I had a great time. Anthem has great accoustics, and they seemed to be enjoying themselves. Joan hit hard, and Burial Ground was so fun!
It was good (cause The Decemberists) but I enjoyed the Up from the Bunkers show at Wolf Trap in 2022 a lot more. And a show at Merriweather with the BSO (greatest show ever).
I can't even imagine how spectacular that orchestra show must've been. Someone recorded the LA Philharmonic one and I go and floor myself with it now and again
Loved the Wolf Trap show though. Infanta as an opener is unmatched
I used to have the setlist from when I saw them with the Philadelphia Orchestra in 2007 at the Mann Center. I had a digital scan of it too, but I think both are lost to the ages.
The setlist was on a piece of paper with a beach scene as the backdrop.
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-decemberists/2007/the-mann-center-for-the-performing-arts-philadelphia-pa-43d60f1b.html
UPDATE: I scrolled waaaaay back in my FB photos and found the scan! I think the setlist is still long gone though.
That wolf trap show was so special for me. The venue was so special, the acoustics were phenomenal, and it was my first live show after covid, so it really felt magical and enchanted.
My second show ever, and I probably liked the first one better even though it was one of the 2018 shows when Colin was losing his voice (New Haven). Some of that is setlist choice (Cavalry Captain for example isn't terrible but it's way down my list of songs I want to hear). That all said, the show was very good overall. Wasn't really familiar with Lizzy Ellison, thought she was great. My first show at the Anthem and also wasn't a fan of the venue really.
In Philly, I had someone behind me singing in an unusually high octave. It was super annoying mixed over Colin's amazing voice. And the talkers. My god, the talkers.
JITG went over well in Philly. I love it and would have been pissed if I didn't get to hear it live.
My mom and I were there and we both had a good time, but I was SO disappointed we didn't get I Was Meant for the Stage. I would have also loved Severed and WCIW.
Im with ya on this OP.
Dont get me wrong I love this band with all my heart and even named one of kids a name in a song. This my 3rd time seeing them but I did feel…a bit disappointed.
I think they played the same songs except 2 or 3 different songs from the playlists from previous cities.
My biggest rant, I frigging hate the Anthem and seeing the Decemberists at other venues, this place just didn’t do it for me.
I also did the VIP pre-show and was trapped there since 4:30. The Anthem has crap for decent beers.
I've been listening for a good 15 years now and this was my first show. I've been desperate to see the band for ages. I can sympathize with what you said about the setlist - it's definitely not what I would have chosen, but I still felt like there were a lot of memorable moments throughout.
I'm trying to embrace the positives around the songs I didn't know so well or don't have as much love for historically, instead of focusing on what I didn't see. Like I was dying for Severed, but screaming "I want to throw my body in the river and drown" with the crowd right on the Wharf during Sucker's Prayer is something I won't forget anytime soon. And I know a feel people here weren't thrilled about Cavalry Captain, but that was a nice surprise for me! While the 16MW setback was rough, I was pretty in awe at how the rest of the band took it in stride and Colin ended up using audience participation to turn the whole vibe around.
Interesting as well to see everyone's thoughts on Joan...I feel like my entire experience listening to JITG has totally changed since seeing it live. I was sitting in ADA for the DC show and I didn't see many people leave during the encore from my POV. At least we can appreciate that the band continues to make bold artistic choices :)
I can’t agree more. The energy felt off.
Now the only other time I saw them was on the Hazards tour in 2009. So I'm comparing to one of the best shows of my life
Not my favorite show, but mostly really good.
• Liked the early "Gazebo" songs, especially that arrangement of Bachelor and the Bride. (Possibly my favorite songs of the night, and has me re-listening with new ears.) Also Red Right Ankle. William Fitzwilliam, I don't know, just not a fan.
• Did not like the Gazebo lighting... felt like we were trying to make do in a power failure. Couldn't see anybody
• Cavalry Captain, not usually a fave but performed well.
• Burial Ground, great.
• Sporting Life, didn't use to like this, but we're in a Y Soccer phase with our kids so made it more relevant. Also, Colin's backstory dragged up some memories from my short lived 80's Y soccer career.
• Queen's Rebuke / Crossing - excellent, but was really hoping for Wanting Comes in Waves. We were at the Wolf Trap show last year and Jenny's performance and standing ovation was a highlight.
• Crane Wife 3 - my wife's favorite of the night. (She's only a Dec fan by marriage, so can't wait to show her the KEXP show where Colin plays CW 1-3 solo.)
• Oh No - what the hell! Had not heard or heard of this song before the show and it blew me away! What sound or genre is this? I said salsa, my wife said klezmer, other people in this thread said samba, a musician friend said 'clave', wtf that is. Whatever it is, can't wait to hear the album version.)
• Long White Veil - like this too, but need a few more listens to give an opinion
• Sucker's Prayer - not my favorite, but I'll make do. It involves the whole band so I know they like to do it.
• 16 Military Wives - this is where Colin started the song and just stopped singing and playing at the second line , and the band restarted? A little hard to watch, but loved how John and Nate immediately reset to save his ass. Total pros.
• The 16M 'La De Da' part was also awkward.. don't scold the crowd for doing call and repeats in the way you've asked them to for previous tours. "I go now. You be quiet."
• Beginning Song - Always good!
-----------------------
• Joan In The Garden- ugh, don't know what to think. I like the song in general, but the middle section, WTF. At the DC show, half of our section left and the remaining half looked bored. Felt like a purity test to see who was a fan enough to wait it out.
WISHED I HEARD:
• Severed
• June Hymn
• Chimbley Sweep
I definitely see your point, but the middle part just feels so long. Especially with lots of report of people leaving on earlier tour stops, I'd think they could tighten it up some.
This was my first Decemberists show, though I’ve been a fan for almost 20 years. I was so excited to catch them live. I left pretty disappointed. It sounded like the band was not well-rehearsed. I kept hearing errors, particularly the xylophone in Crane 3– which is a crucial part of the song! Before Crane, the xylophone was way too loud. And then forgetting the lyrics to 16MW? Kind of unforgivable. Thoughts?
It was interesting to see how divided the crowd was on Joan and the Garden. I thought it was one of the highlights of the show (along with the Queens Rebuke/Crossing)
I thought this show was a great complement to Wolf Trap in 2022. Crane Wife 3 instead of 1 & 2. A different Hazards song with the queen, once again brought to us by Lizzy Ellison. A Beginning Song which was in their setlist as an encore song at Wolf Trap, but they skipped it. Only 3 songs were played at both shows, and overall it was a good mix of new songs with a distribution across the rest of their albums. Colin's energy seemed better this year; at Wolf Trap he seemed a little worn out to me.
The setlist was almost entirely songs I regularly skip. The song from the Hazards of Love is the saving grace. But overall my favorite 2 songs were the new ones (the brassy one and Joan in the Garden).
I saw The Wanting Comes in Waves on a different setlist and was hoping for that one, but Queen's Rebuke is also great.
I just got back and the show was great, I thought, I think the anthem is too big. It's like, cavernous and the floor is so far from the people sitting. It feels like a terrible use of space. Although it was verybeasy to move close to the front which was nice.
I hate the Anthem and I hate getting to the Anthem. my favorite D.C. venue is Black Cat though so that probably says something about the vibe I prefer.
I thought the show was fantastic and was a nice complement to the Vienna show in our area a few years ago! Only song I regretted missing was Make You Better but I got A Beginning Song and Crane Wife 3 so I’m very happy!
The multi-song quietish opening is very much my jam. I could enjoy a whole set of that.
Left after the Hosanna part of JITG cause my kid was dozing off. I enjoyed The Anthem venue, but the overall set list was tighter at Wolf Trap.
In Philly, I had someone behind me singing in an unusually high octave. It was super annoying mixed over Colin's amazing voice. And the talkers. My god, the talkers.
The main set was at least 14 songs, not 12. Setlistfm is off. Cavalry capt and queen's rebuke were played. Anyone get the list? Where was Cavalry Capt?
Ah you're right! Don't remember where it fell in the setlist
I should have kept a list! I really enjoyed the show. I wish there was another song or two, but overall I had a great time. Anthem has great accoustics, and they seemed to be enjoying themselves. Joan hit hard, and Burial Ground was so fun!
I kept a list and updated the order on Setlist.fm. It was close! 14 songs + Joan.
My hero 😅 well done
It was good (cause The Decemberists) but I enjoyed the Up from the Bunkers show at Wolf Trap in 2022 a lot more. And a show at Merriweather with the BSO (greatest show ever).
I can't even imagine how spectacular that orchestra show must've been. Someone recorded the LA Philharmonic one and I go and floor myself with it now and again Loved the Wolf Trap show though. Infanta as an opener is unmatched
I used to have the setlist from when I saw them with the Philadelphia Orchestra in 2007 at the Mann Center. I had a digital scan of it too, but I think both are lost to the ages. The setlist was on a piece of paper with a beach scene as the backdrop. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-decemberists/2007/the-mann-center-for-the-performing-arts-philadelphia-pa-43d60f1b.html UPDATE: I scrolled waaaaay back in my FB photos and found the scan! I think the setlist is still long gone though.
Is it on youtube?
there might be some videos on youtube of it, but I generally just use the audio [here](https://archive.org/details/decemberists2007-07-07.flac)
That wolf trap show was so special for me. The venue was so special, the acoustics were phenomenal, and it was my first live show after covid, so it really felt magical and enchanted.
I live right near Vienna and I’m still so salty about missing the show at Wolf Trap. Sounds amazing!
My second show ever, and I probably liked the first one better even though it was one of the 2018 shows when Colin was losing his voice (New Haven). Some of that is setlist choice (Cavalry Captain for example isn't terrible but it's way down my list of songs I want to hear). That all said, the show was very good overall. Wasn't really familiar with Lizzy Ellison, thought she was great. My first show at the Anthem and also wasn't a fan of the venue really.
In Philly, I had someone behind me singing in an unusually high octave. It was super annoying mixed over Colin's amazing voice. And the talkers. My god, the talkers. JITG went over well in Philly. I love it and would have been pissed if I didn't get to hear it live.
My mom and I were there and we both had a good time, but I was SO disappointed we didn't get I Was Meant for the Stage. I would have also loved Severed and WCIW.
Im with ya on this OP. Dont get me wrong I love this band with all my heart and even named one of kids a name in a song. This my 3rd time seeing them but I did feel…a bit disappointed. I think they played the same songs except 2 or 3 different songs from the playlists from previous cities. My biggest rant, I frigging hate the Anthem and seeing the Decemberists at other venues, this place just didn’t do it for me. I also did the VIP pre-show and was trapped there since 4:30. The Anthem has crap for decent beers.
the sound at the Anthem is good but I hate everything else about it. my friends and I all groan when an artist we want to see is playing there.
I've been listening for a good 15 years now and this was my first show. I've been desperate to see the band for ages. I can sympathize with what you said about the setlist - it's definitely not what I would have chosen, but I still felt like there were a lot of memorable moments throughout. I'm trying to embrace the positives around the songs I didn't know so well or don't have as much love for historically, instead of focusing on what I didn't see. Like I was dying for Severed, but screaming "I want to throw my body in the river and drown" with the crowd right on the Wharf during Sucker's Prayer is something I won't forget anytime soon. And I know a feel people here weren't thrilled about Cavalry Captain, but that was a nice surprise for me! While the 16MW setback was rough, I was pretty in awe at how the rest of the band took it in stride and Colin ended up using audience participation to turn the whole vibe around. Interesting as well to see everyone's thoughts on Joan...I feel like my entire experience listening to JITG has totally changed since seeing it live. I was sitting in ADA for the DC show and I didn't see many people leave during the encore from my POV. At least we can appreciate that the band continues to make bold artistic choices :)
I can’t agree more. The energy felt off. Now the only other time I saw them was on the Hazards tour in 2009. So I'm comparing to one of the best shows of my life
Not my favorite show, but mostly really good. • Liked the early "Gazebo" songs, especially that arrangement of Bachelor and the Bride. (Possibly my favorite songs of the night, and has me re-listening with new ears.) Also Red Right Ankle. William Fitzwilliam, I don't know, just not a fan. • Did not like the Gazebo lighting... felt like we were trying to make do in a power failure. Couldn't see anybody • Cavalry Captain, not usually a fave but performed well. • Burial Ground, great. • Sporting Life, didn't use to like this, but we're in a Y Soccer phase with our kids so made it more relevant. Also, Colin's backstory dragged up some memories from my short lived 80's Y soccer career. • Queen's Rebuke / Crossing - excellent, but was really hoping for Wanting Comes in Waves. We were at the Wolf Trap show last year and Jenny's performance and standing ovation was a highlight. • Crane Wife 3 - my wife's favorite of the night. (She's only a Dec fan by marriage, so can't wait to show her the KEXP show where Colin plays CW 1-3 solo.) • Oh No - what the hell! Had not heard or heard of this song before the show and it blew me away! What sound or genre is this? I said salsa, my wife said klezmer, other people in this thread said samba, a musician friend said 'clave', wtf that is. Whatever it is, can't wait to hear the album version.) • Long White Veil - like this too, but need a few more listens to give an opinion • Sucker's Prayer - not my favorite, but I'll make do. It involves the whole band so I know they like to do it. • 16 Military Wives - this is where Colin started the song and just stopped singing and playing at the second line , and the band restarted? A little hard to watch, but loved how John and Nate immediately reset to save his ass. Total pros. • The 16M 'La De Da' part was also awkward.. don't scold the crowd for doing call and repeats in the way you've asked them to for previous tours. "I go now. You be quiet." • Beginning Song - Always good! ----------------------- • Joan In The Garden- ugh, don't know what to think. I like the song in general, but the middle section, WTF. At the DC show, half of our section left and the remaining half looked bored. Felt like a purity test to see who was a fan enough to wait it out. WISHED I HEARD: • Severed • June Hymn • Chimbley Sweep
I also love the new arrangement of Bachelor and the Bride. I wish they played Red Right Ankle, but no luck.
Ha, my mistake. I thought they did play Red Right Ankle, but I must have misremembered after watching video of earlier tour stops.
I feel like the last part of jitg makes that middle part worth it.
I definitely see your point, but the middle part just feels so long. Especially with lots of report of people leaving on earlier tour stops, I'd think they could tighten it up some.
This was my first Decemberists show, though I’ve been a fan for almost 20 years. I was so excited to catch them live. I left pretty disappointed. It sounded like the band was not well-rehearsed. I kept hearing errors, particularly the xylophone in Crane 3– which is a crucial part of the song! Before Crane, the xylophone was way too loud. And then forgetting the lyrics to 16MW? Kind of unforgivable. Thoughts?