A thought. What if instead of thinking "if I'm not perfect the show is a bust"...instead switch it up to "if I'm not perfect, my audience will still enjoy the opportunity to hear our band, listen to our new songs live, reexperience the memories the old songs bring to the surface, and even worry about if I'm doing ok and will come to check on me on this blog?" Drove to Bend from PDX to see the show, absolutely zero regrets.
Colin, I know you were grumpy with the Bellwether, and the stage was small, but as someone who has been following you since 2003, it was a wonderful experience. Harkened back to the old days, even if you were a little less silly.
There was a definite sing along vibe in the audience. I Was Meant For the Stage reminded me of the early days of Mariner’s Revenge. Engine Driver fading into Bus Mall was as beautiful as ever and the way it should be.
I loved the small club vibe even of it was a bit bordello. And parking was only $15.
Engine driver into on the bus mall should be at every show… takes me back to when I very first started listening to them. It’s a perfect transition on the album and it was so great to see it in real life!
The concert at the Fox Theater Oakland was stupendous in every way possible. The setlist, use of scenery, lighting design and musicianship - a real treat for a long-time fan. We even have a poster from 2009 McMenamins Edgefield we "stole" even though we were not in town for the actual show.
A highlight for me was the closing song, "I was meant for the stage" prior to the "Joan in the Garden" encore. This has special significance as it's the song our adult child, John, chose to close a set list of favorite numbers at their 30th birthday celebration last December. Occasionally, we are a family band and made music together at this event. As a parent, the lyrics are so poignant, especially now John is finding success in New York as a sound designer. Even sitting way up in the very top section of the venue, I watched Mr. Meloy meandered in the crowd getting a little choked up by the message to honor our children's choices.
Our entire family are fans of the band and made sure to see a show (we are scattered around the country) - New York, Oakland and the rest awaiting the tour to land in Tucson at the end of the week.
I didn’t know I was called a Shebanger!! Also, what you give to people is such a gift and I don’t say that lightly. And you do sacrifice a lot by going on the road and touring just so that we as fans get to experience that gift. All of us are eternally grateful and I hope you know how much we appreciate you and the entire band.
After hearing your episode on Depresh Mode, it’s nice to hear more about the ups and downs of touring. Hopefully the honesty helps you feel like we all support you and appreciate that you make the effort to give us a religious 2 hr experience in our respective cities. No voice detail or complaint about bunks is too much, it’s not an experience I’ll ever have so it’s interesting to me! I’m so excited to be a “Shebanger” soon, I’ve even tightened up my mask wearing for the next few weeks since I don’t want to miss it!
Bend was excellent. We were super glad the voice thing was just a fluke. We spotted Milo running around the crowd and it was the absolute sweetest watching you watch him throughout the show. ❤️
Ace kicker there … thanks, Uber driver! Sorry about the vocal travails, but as one of those in fairly close proximity to you on the floor last night at the Bellwether, I’m glad you were feeling ungrumpy by the end of the show (perhaps having transferred some of that grumpiness to the old people among you and our aging joints…and I, for one, am happy to take some of that on if it helps). Thanks for a fun night 1 in LA!
We’re moving soonish to someplace that won’t often be a stop on your tours, and it wasn’t until after we got home from the Oakland show that we realized it might’ve been the last Decemberists show we would see for a while. I’m sort of glad it hadn’t occurred to us while were at the Fox because we just enjoyed ourselves as we always do, but I also felt a twinge of regret that I didn’t get to thank you all personally during soundcheck.
From fans who have gone to all your Bay Area tour stops bar one since the Crane Wife, our deepest thanks for putting up with all the aggravation and exhaustion of a tour in exchange for that hour or so of magic, when we forget what’s outside the walls of the theater and not just marvel at the inexplicable power of music but also revel in the company of kindred spirits who, say, know just when to applaud or mock-boo during I Was Meant for the Stage. We first heard your music on a 2005 CMJ New Music Monthly compilation CD that included Sixteen Military Wives, and we have been fans since. We went to Decemberists shows to rejoice, to forget, to sing aloud, to let music wash away the week. For every single show, whether you remember it or not, whether you thought it was a good one or not, thank you. We hope to see you again soon.
P.S. You appear to have missed signing one of the Shebanger posters and my husband wants me to ask if you think that would lower its value or bump it up. (Asking for eBay, he jokes.)
I knew it! I'm a Shebanger that sensed the grumpiness. I wasn't a fan of the person that asked you to expand on your mixed feelings about our crazy city. How unfair to put you on the spot! I bet the heat had to do with it. I was too shy to ask you which McMenamins is your favorite. Chickened out at the end. Oh well. I hope my crazy city treated you well this round, Colin. I know that yours always has.
I think the honesty of the nitty gritty of tour life is excellent! More people should talk about the not so glamorous side of various professions. All within what you are comfortable and willing to share, of course. I have an 18 year old (named Collin, as it happens—as well as having an 11 yr old named Milo—purely coincidental, all of it) who is in a band and wants “to tour and play shows for the rest of his life.” I think it’s good for him to be able to hear the ups and downs of such a life. I also think you can absolutely speak of the drudgery and discontent while still being grateful for your good fortune (and hard work). Last, my family of six will be driving from Idaho to Utah to see you guys! I hope you bring the silly, if you have it in you, as my daughter (who has Williams Syndrome and plays your songs on the piano) is really looking forward to your antics :) “Colin is so funny,” she says after watching live performances on YouTube.
A thought. What if instead of thinking "if I'm not perfect the show is a bust"...instead switch it up to "if I'm not perfect, my audience will still enjoy the opportunity to hear our band, listen to our new songs live, reexperience the memories the old songs bring to the surface, and even worry about if I'm doing ok and will come to check on me on this blog?" Drove to Bend from PDX to see the show, absolutely zero regrets.
Colin, I know you were grumpy with the Bellwether, and the stage was small, but as someone who has been following you since 2003, it was a wonderful experience. Harkened back to the old days, even if you were a little less silly.
There was a definite sing along vibe in the audience. I Was Meant For the Stage reminded me of the early days of Mariner’s Revenge. Engine Driver fading into Bus Mall was as beautiful as ever and the way it should be.
I loved the small club vibe even of it was a bit bordello. And parking was only $15.
Engine driver into on the bus mall should be at every show… takes me back to when I very first started listening to them. It’s a perfect transition on the album and it was so great to see it in real life!
i remember reading your journals from the east coast tour and could tell you weren’t happy a lot of the time. i’m actually relieved by your honesty.
The concert at the Fox Theater Oakland was stupendous in every way possible. The setlist, use of scenery, lighting design and musicianship - a real treat for a long-time fan. We even have a poster from 2009 McMenamins Edgefield we "stole" even though we were not in town for the actual show.
A highlight for me was the closing song, "I was meant for the stage" prior to the "Joan in the Garden" encore. This has special significance as it's the song our adult child, John, chose to close a set list of favorite numbers at their 30th birthday celebration last December. Occasionally, we are a family band and made music together at this event. As a parent, the lyrics are so poignant, especially now John is finding success in New York as a sound designer. Even sitting way up in the very top section of the venue, I watched Mr. Meloy meandered in the crowd getting a little choked up by the message to honor our children's choices.
Our entire family are fans of the band and made sure to see a show (we are scattered around the country) - New York, Oakland and the rest awaiting the tour to land in Tucson at the end of the week.
I was at the Bend show and it was decidedly NOT a bust. It was a great time!
My three favorite bands. That was indeed a great time!
I didn’t know I was called a Shebanger!! Also, what you give to people is such a gift and I don’t say that lightly. And you do sacrifice a lot by going on the road and touring just so that we as fans get to experience that gift. All of us are eternally grateful and I hope you know how much we appreciate you and the entire band.
Bend was amazing! I'm really glad you didn't throw yourself in front of a moving train after.
After hearing your episode on Depresh Mode, it’s nice to hear more about the ups and downs of touring. Hopefully the honesty helps you feel like we all support you and appreciate that you make the effort to give us a religious 2 hr experience in our respective cities. No voice detail or complaint about bunks is too much, it’s not an experience I’ll ever have so it’s interesting to me! I’m so excited to be a “Shebanger” soon, I’ve even tightened up my mask wearing for the next few weeks since I don’t want to miss it!
Hi Colin, thanks for the explanation of why last night's LA show was so weird. We love you silly. BK
Bend was excellent. We were super glad the voice thing was just a fluke. We spotted Milo running around the crowd and it was the absolute sweetest watching you watch him throughout the show. ❤️
Ace kicker there … thanks, Uber driver! Sorry about the vocal travails, but as one of those in fairly close proximity to you on the floor last night at the Bellwether, I’m glad you were feeling ungrumpy by the end of the show (perhaps having transferred some of that grumpiness to the old people among you and our aging joints…and I, for one, am happy to take some of that on if it helps). Thanks for a fun night 1 in LA!
Let’s begin again!!
We’re moving soonish to someplace that won’t often be a stop on your tours, and it wasn’t until after we got home from the Oakland show that we realized it might’ve been the last Decemberists show we would see for a while. I’m sort of glad it hadn’t occurred to us while were at the Fox because we just enjoyed ourselves as we always do, but I also felt a twinge of regret that I didn’t get to thank you all personally during soundcheck.
From fans who have gone to all your Bay Area tour stops bar one since the Crane Wife, our deepest thanks for putting up with all the aggravation and exhaustion of a tour in exchange for that hour or so of magic, when we forget what’s outside the walls of the theater and not just marvel at the inexplicable power of music but also revel in the company of kindred spirits who, say, know just when to applaud or mock-boo during I Was Meant for the Stage. We first heard your music on a 2005 CMJ New Music Monthly compilation CD that included Sixteen Military Wives, and we have been fans since. We went to Decemberists shows to rejoice, to forget, to sing aloud, to let music wash away the week. For every single show, whether you remember it or not, whether you thought it was a good one or not, thank you. We hope to see you again soon.
P.S. You appear to have missed signing one of the Shebanger posters and my husband wants me to ask if you think that would lower its value or bump it up. (Asking for eBay, he jokes.)
Keep on being authentic in your descriptions of the tour! I love to know the REAL truth!
I knew it! I'm a Shebanger that sensed the grumpiness. I wasn't a fan of the person that asked you to expand on your mixed feelings about our crazy city. How unfair to put you on the spot! I bet the heat had to do with it. I was too shy to ask you which McMenamins is your favorite. Chickened out at the end. Oh well. I hope my crazy city treated you well this round, Colin. I know that yours always has.
I think the honesty of the nitty gritty of tour life is excellent! More people should talk about the not so glamorous side of various professions. All within what you are comfortable and willing to share, of course. I have an 18 year old (named Collin, as it happens—as well as having an 11 yr old named Milo—purely coincidental, all of it) who is in a band and wants “to tour and play shows for the rest of his life.” I think it’s good for him to be able to hear the ups and downs of such a life. I also think you can absolutely speak of the drudgery and discontent while still being grateful for your good fortune (and hard work). Last, my family of six will be driving from Idaho to Utah to see you guys! I hope you bring the silly, if you have it in you, as my daughter (who has Williams Syndrome and plays your songs on the piano) is really looking forward to your antics :) “Colin is so funny,” she says after watching live performances on YouTube.