43 Comments

According to my research the band who "took a lot of hot showers" in KC was Michael Franti & Spearhead. Do with that information what you will.

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I loved that you looked that up.

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I’m loving this diary especially at is builds anticipation for the show I’ll be attending in Nashville. It feels like a novel where two narrators live their separate lives but you can tell their stories will eventually merge, even if only for a single concert at the Ryman in Nashville. (I hope the crowd is willing to stand because my wife and I have front row seats and I don’t want to look directly up the entire time).

I noticed Rusalka hasn’t been on a set list yet. I hope that changes.

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My wife and I, formerly concert chasing nomads, were on the couch for the Denver show due to extenuating health issues, enjoying the livestream. I just want to say that for those of us who can no longer attend shows, the livestreams have been a sheer joy to behold. We were singing and whooping louder than the crowd. Thank you for those minutes of pure joy! And Jenny is still the coolest EVER. I wish she’d run for President of the Universe. Sorry Colin.

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Could we potentially learn how you guys found your Decemberist in training, Lizzie? I’ve been curious about that ever since you introduced her on stage!

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Lizzie was incredible in the SLC show, Wanting Comes in Waves/Repaid was a total banger with her. It's a song I enjoy on the album, but seeing it live with Lizzie was incredible.

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I hope Colin adds the real answer, but Lizzie is the lead singer of a local Portland band called Cardioid that is amazing and everyone should go listen to them.

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Did "something else" happen to be a song of the vengeful sea shanty variety, Mr. Meloy??

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According to setlist.fm, it was Shiny!

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i had no idea that site existed, thanks!

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Hi Colin ! Thank you for your museful rendering. I always wanted to be a rock star and now have a feeling for what it’s like.

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The multi-camera on the livestream was great and much appreciated. (I just couldn't figure out how to broadcast to my TV but that was probably user error.)

Can I request Philomena for my birthday show at The Ryman? I feel like everyone deserves a little Philomena on their birthday. :)

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I friggen lovE that song!

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So great to see you back in KC! It was my 6th show dating back to Crane Wife tour and second doing the Pre show VIP experience. Loved every minute of it even though it was so hot out. It was awesome to sing along with my girlfriend(her first time seeing you) in the second row on my never ending journey to hear every Decemberists song live I was able to check a few more boxes off. Looking forward to possible new album announcement soon it was great hearing the new ones and was so much fun getting to hear Ben Franklins Song. I recently started David Mcculloughs biography it’s quite good. Until next time we cross paths hope the rest of the tour is great and look forward to more diary entries

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Our family’s journey with The Decemberists has come full circle. Having seen them at the Uptown in KC while my wife was pregnant with our son in 2007, we took a 15 year gap in seeing them perform live, again in KC. But with the same son and younger daughter in tow, we remembered how the band enraptured us with their music in the first place. A communal feeling in the crowd, and a band that helps foster that community. As I watched my newly-converted fan-children sing along to The Wanting Comes in Waves and We All Die Young, a feeling of satisfaction in how we have raised my children took hold. A prideful, shit-eating grin grew across my face. Well done, crew. Fans for life here in Wichita.

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12/17/12 is an absolutely beautiful song, but with an almost 6 year old son I'm too terrified to listen to it.

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We have a 7yo and same, it's too much and exactly how we all must feel.

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I will gladly accept this pandering to fans. I think we think we've got the kindest, smartest, generous and most attractive band in the business so it works out.

Thank you so much for continuing to offer livestreams. I wasn't sure I'd make it to the Denver show and knowing I had the ability to stream it helped so much. I made it and had an amazing time in the end and then it was just fun to be able to relive! I was bummed how quickly so many bands dropped the livestreams once touring started again so I just want to make sure to express my appreciation for you all offering it as often as possible.

I'm going to have to pick up Lapvona, because I grabbed Undermajor Domo Minor when you and John were both reading that and loved it!

Thanks for another excellent tour diary!

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I was at the Seattle show and then watched the Denver livestream and loved them both. The communal outdoor singalong experience in one, the close-ups of the musicians — Jenny on accordion, Chris on slide guitar, John on keyboards! — in the other. I would watch many more livestreams of your shows.

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Did I miss the shower rating for Minneapolis?

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Colin, maybe you could let us in on your inspiration, process &C for BLACK MARIAH, maybe, just maybe my new favorite (although there are so many, and the competition is stiff).

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Reading this out loud to my husband as we drive from Chicago back home to Grand Rapids. This will be my first time seeing you two nights in a row and I am so excited. Chicago was great last night! Last time you were in Grand Rapids your voice was having issues, so we got a quieter set, but I thought it was lovely. Any chance of hearing Ben Franklin tonight?

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I had a daydream before the LA show of calling out "Alex Chilton" after Colin asked for requests. I had a feeling you had a few Mats songs up your sleeve.

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