These guys had one of the most anticipated albums of 2007 and I missed their show last Summer. Thankfully they chose to revisit Austin last night to make one more push to promote Under the Black Light. Based upon the size of the crowd, it paid off with a nearly sold out show. I didn’t have any luck buying swag, usually a T-shirt for my enormous collection, because this was their second-to-last stop (they’re wrapping up in their hometown of LA this week), thus shirts for fat guys like me who need XL were out of luck. Even if I lost the 30-some pounds I need to, I doubt I can shave several inches in diameter off my torso.
Rilo Kiley definitely attracts a younger crowd. Numerous attendees lacking the blue wristband (how Stubb’s tags people over 21 that evening) but you wouldn’t be able to tell from the amount of cans and bottles we EcoAction volunteers picked up. However, you can always tell when a show has a younger following since the majority of them fill up the venue during the opening act; in this show’s case, there were two.
Neither openers were interesting. Sure they were talented but nothing they did grabbed my attention to follow up on any of their recorded material.
Confetti from two balloons rolled out during the song “Silver Lining.”
The crowd went nuts when lead singer Jenny Lewis hit the stage and broke into “Close Call.” My photo isn’t too hot since there were tons of people packed in my usual spot to get multiple attempts while I’m making the rounds. Most of the set list was based upon the current album except they didn’t do the title track. I was impressed on their live version of “Does He Love You” because it had all the emotional heft their recording has and it’s the song which caught my attention on KUT.
I’m glad I went yet I don’t think I’ll really go out of my way to see them again unless Rilo Kiley releases another strong record (unlikely) or Jenny tours with the Watson Twins a second time.