Great venue + front row + amazing band = …
I got there at least an hour before the opening band was supposed to kick off. I didn’t really care about waiting, or going to the bathroom for that matter, I knew this concert was sold out and I wasn’t going to lose my spot. But then, for 45 long minutes I wish I did. What happened? Soon did. A mainstream pop/rock band with cheesy lyrics and cheap guitar solos that reminds me of Jimmy Eat World. I think we would all rather enjoy it if instead they brought The Arcade Fire or Handsome Furs along next time.
Maybe people were looking for some consolation afterwards, but the place was heating up and the crowd was rapidly multiplying. Until, after much anticipation, a lot of waiting and 2 cups of overpriced beer, the guys from Wolf Parade finally made their appearance on stage. 1, 2, 3, 4… 5? Oh, well apparently Hadji Bakara (synthesizer and sound manipulation) wasn’t going to join us that night. Spencer didn’t really give us a feeling he was coming back anytime soon. I quote: “Besides, I think we sound much better without him”. And they actually did. It seemed like Spencer had to take over Hadji’s tasks and it gave every song a different effect (even tho he appeared weary from doing so). The music was rawer and hearing Dan Boeckner screaming his lungs out on songs like Language City, The Grey Estates, It’s A Curse and Shine A Light made this concert even better.
The crowd went wild from the start, people were jumping, singing along and extended applause after every song became standard procedure. Dan even seemed to be moved by it all.. but he also seemed a bit drunk so who knows. I’m not great at remembering setlists or at reminding myself I want to grab them after a show, but I think it looked something like this. Obviously Kissing The Beehive wasn’t going to be spared during this parade and it was such an eargasm and a personal 2008 highlight to hear Boeckner and Krug sing it live, right in front of me.
I remember when Sunset Rubdown came here in May, I tried to talk Spencer (yeh, we had a long chat about life and sandwiches) into coming here with Wolf Parade. I doubt he remembers that conversation and I doubt that’s why they came. But a special place in my heart will always feel otherwise. Thanks Spencer. Now come back with Swan Lake!
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Wolf Parade – Dear Sons And Daughters Of Hungry Ghosts
