Neko (l), Carl (c) and a singer whose name I can't remember (r) but she is from the Austin area making the New Pornographers less Canadian.
Summer is in full swing everywhere in the Northern Hemisphere, especially in the US and that means…the festival concerts, the worst kind of lives in my cranky opinion. People pay outrageous prices to attend Lolapalooza, Lilith Fair, Bonnaroo, etc. to see what is supposed to be 50, 100 or whatever bands. Instead they’re herded like cattle, get sunburn and endure watching late sets which are also clipped by 10-20 minutes so the has-been headliner is on schedule. Of course that’s my uninformed take I will readily admit to because the closest thing I have ever experienced was Summerfest in Milwaukee during the late Eighties to late Nineties. For me it became an omen of the worst to come: HORDE, Vans Warped Tour and the ultimate insult, Austin City Limits Festival (ACL Fest for short). I refuse to even try to go to ACL Fest since it is really an asshole invasion; all these people from around the world come here, tear up Zilker Park, make downtown poisonous (Austin isn’t well-designed for North/South traffic via I-35) and leave. It’s as if a giant seagull attacks every Fall. I want to punch the ACL Fest’s inventor(s) in the face, then ask, “Why did you create this? We tolerate the annual poseur invasion every Spring (SXSW), why did think we needed another?” My friend and concert buddy Mark is free to make a counterpoint if he wishes, I would still walk on hot coals for him regardless of our differing opinions.
What does this have to do with the New Pornographers? I’m getting to it since this ranting preface is part of the show.
Besides, what I feel is a crappy way to see live music (such intimacy one can have with 50,000 people pack in a stadium with U2!), the other painful blow from festivals is that many acts think this counts as an official stop as the host city. Hence, last night’s New Pornographers show which was their first proper 80-minute set in seven years. My friends and I saw them headline at Emo’s for The Electric Version, after that, they’ve only returned to Austin for a SXSW Showcase (not necessarily open to the public) and Fun Fun Fest (a lesser-known Fest in November). Again, I might be mistaken on any other appearances yet they’re a band I would try to catch at any opportunity.
So how were they last night? Fantastic despite the larger venue (Stubb’s outdoors), the growth of Neko Case’s fame (I wouldn’t be surprised if she quits after this) and two rather trying openers; I didn’t think they fit the NP’s mood/tone/style. Austin was also treated to an appearance of Dan Bejar in the lineup; he co-writes yet tends to not tour with them, he wasn’t around in the 2003 concert. The traveling act is much larger as well, 10 people which could get them mistaken for a Ska band.
Before they took the stage, the lights went out, their logo lit up and flickered at random patterns to Boston’s “Foreplay.” Cheesy yet funny. Then the kicked off with “Sing Me Spanish Techno” from Twin Cinemas. The set list can be found here courtesy of person with either a strong memory or the ability to type quickly on a phone. Obviously the night was heavy on the current release Together which contained great stuff I am looking forward to listening to more intently in the near future. I’ve read rumblings of complaining over this. To those people I say, if they didn’t load the set list with the current record, they would be wasting their time touring. I do admit to being disappointed over them not doing “Miss Teen Wordpower,” “All For Swinging You Around,” “The Electric Version,” “These Are The Fables,” “Star Bodies,” “My Rights Versus Yours,” or “Mutiny, I Promise You.” However, they at least did “Go Places” and “The Laws Have Changed,” the latter being omitted would’ve set off a riot.
I am glad I went out of my own pocket too. All the EA volunteer spots were taken quite quickly for this concert. My friends and I had a lovely dinner at Jaime’s across the street plus great conversations before and after the show. Those things are really vital to live music, especially when you go with friends who share your passion for music.
The New Pornographers were great too. This made up for their recent stiffing of Austin and Neko Case’s rather mediocre solo show last Spring.
As I usual end with most stories over live shows, see if them if you get the opportunity which is rather difficult because most of my friends have children, other commitments and/or are out of the loop. There’s also the option to check out their strong catalog, three of which I know are all killer, no filler: The Electric Version, Twin Cinemas and Challengers.