[Gig] The Decemberists

Hammerstein Ballroom
w/ Alasdair Roberts

Follow their story telling tradition, The Decemberist opened the show with a pre-recorded narration, with 8 big red lanterns and gigantic Japanese style painted cloth hanging and occupied the entire background of the stage, bringing concert goers into a exotic world (Although the connection between Russian crane wife, Japanese palace and Chinese lanterns is too profound, but exotic is exotic anyway...)
Another perfect reason for going to gig than just listening to CD. Sour story-telling songs can be transformed into energetic performance by Colin Meloy. And yes, we can not help but swing with every tune. Looking these coming-from-music-school band members constantly changing instruments was astounding. Yes, it's like showing-off, but why not?