Okkervil River @ The Echo
posted by Villain at 12:36 PM
well before Okkervil River took the stage, before Will Sheff strode into Main Island Lovers, Band of Horses played a strong, strong set of stinging, tense alt country.
Band of Horses
Funeral
Bass Song
I was standing off to the side, firing off text message after text message when i couldn't help but be drawn in by the strength of the set. the combination of Niel Young, Silkworm, and Modest Mouse inspired rock demanding attention. this is a band that means business. that doesn't waste energy focusing on anything but the song at hand. almost as if they were trying to set an example for me. economical. direct. the material fell a bit short at moments, but the majority of the set was nothing short of excellent. this is a record i'll be looking to buy.
Okkervil River - Main Island Lovers
As for Okkervil River, shortly after finishing this, their first song, Will Sheff deliriously announced that after 22 consecutive days on the road in Europe without a day off followed by a two day break back in the states, he was forced to cancel the previous nights show due to a case of strep throat. He went to the doctor instead and was put on antibiotics and given a vocal steroid. He then declared that "i guess we'll find out just how much tonight's performance is enhanced by performance enhancing drugs!" this announcement was, if i recall correctly, followed immediately by the most throaty, scratched out version of Black.
This is the third time i've seen this band in the last few months, and while this set was not their cleanest, they have never ever fell short on performance energy. this is a band that loves to play for you. that much is always evident, strep throat or no, they are happy to see you.
After completing their set, the venue tried to clear us all out quickly. Will Sheff barged back onstage to try and play a couple more songs, but they shut off the PA system to, as he put it, "kick us all out to make way for a disco dance party". despite the lack of amplification, he stood forward on stage and played one last song that i couldn't make out at all. but the effort was there. the sentiment was not lost. even if i couldn't hear, i understood and was greatful.
Band of Horses
Funeral
Bass Song
I was standing off to the side, firing off text message after text message when i couldn't help but be drawn in by the strength of the set. the combination of Niel Young, Silkworm, and Modest Mouse inspired rock demanding attention. this is a band that means business. that doesn't waste energy focusing on anything but the song at hand. almost as if they were trying to set an example for me. economical. direct. the material fell a bit short at moments, but the majority of the set was nothing short of excellent. this is a record i'll be looking to buy.
Okkervil River - Main Island Lovers
As for Okkervil River, shortly after finishing this, their first song, Will Sheff deliriously announced that after 22 consecutive days on the road in Europe without a day off followed by a two day break back in the states, he was forced to cancel the previous nights show due to a case of strep throat. He went to the doctor instead and was put on antibiotics and given a vocal steroid. He then declared that "i guess we'll find out just how much tonight's performance is enhanced by performance enhancing drugs!" this announcement was, if i recall correctly, followed immediately by the most throaty, scratched out version of Black.
This is the third time i've seen this band in the last few months, and while this set was not their cleanest, they have never ever fell short on performance energy. this is a band that loves to play for you. that much is always evident, strep throat or no, they are happy to see you.
After completing their set, the venue tried to clear us all out quickly. Will Sheff barged back onstage to try and play a couple more songs, but they shut off the PA system to, as he put it, "kick us all out to make way for a disco dance party". despite the lack of amplification, he stood forward on stage and played one last song that i couldn't make out at all. but the effort was there. the sentiment was not lost. even if i couldn't hear, i understood and was greatful.
