The Decemberists - O2 Academy, Bristol - 8th March 2011 (Live Review)
Monday, 14 March 2011
Written by Rich Skyrme
In 2007, The Decemberists were forced to cancel their Bristol gig – and the remainder of their UK tour – due to frontman Colin Meloy’s tonsillitis. Since then, their visits to the country have been sporadic and limited almost exclusively to a couple of nights in London. A rammed-to-the-gills O2 Academy came to see if the long wait was worthwhile.
The band pre-date the recent folk-rock revival by a few years and whilst lacking the dazzling harmonies of Fleet Foxes or the earnest bombast of Mumford & Sons their music has a depth that far outstrips the output of their current peers. As you would expect from a band named after a Russian revolution, their songs are steeped in literary references and historical folklore as well a dry, knowing sense of humour which shines through from not only their songs, but the on-stage banter between band and audience.
The set-list was dominated by tracks off their new album, 'The King is Dead' and they felt perfectly in place with the band’s older material though inevitably it’s the favourites from the back catalogue that get the best reception. “Here’s a song about a double suicide!” chirps Meloy before launching into 'We Both Go Down Together' to the delight of the crowd; 'Won’t Wait for Love' is performed whilst the staged is drenched in scarlet with a cacophony of drums and '16 Military Wives' becomes a communal sing-song.
The final song of the set, 'The Chimbly Sweep', almost falls apart into well-meaning, good humoured fiasco as audience members are invited to play the band’s guitars whilst Meloy then takes a place behind the drum kit as John Moen, the drummer belts out a traditional blues track. This is just short enough to be entertaining before they return to their normal duties and bring the original song to its climax.
The first encore begins with Meloy singing 'Red Right Ankle' solo before the rest of his band joins him for a raucous rendition of the ‘Mariner’s Revenge Song’ which remains the only song in memory where the audience has been asked to scream if being eaten by a giant whale at the appropriate point; this helps reinforce the idea that Decemberists are something of a unique specimen lyrically compared to other acts.
They finish with a second encore of another track from their new album, 'June Hymn'. Meloy introduces it as a reminder that warmer days are coming and you can’t help but think that whilst they have been excellent tonight, seeing them outside on a warm, waning British summer evening might be very special indeed. Here’s hoping they’ll give us the chance at one of the festivals over the summer months.
Stereoboard Gig Rating: 8.5
Set list:
July, July!
Calamity Song
Rox in the Box
...Rise to Me
We Both Go Down Together
The Sporting Life
Grace Cathedral Hill
Won't Want for Love (Margaret In The Taiga)
The Crane Wife 3
The Rake's Song
Don't Carry It All
Down by the Water
This Is Why We Fight
16 Military Wives
The Chimbley Sweep
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Red Right Ankle
The Mariner's Revenge Song
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June Hymn
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The set-list was dominated by tracks off their new album, 'The King is Dead' and they felt perfectly in place with the band’s older material though inevitably it’s the favourites from the back catalogue that get the best reception. “Here’s a song about a double suicide!” chirps Meloy before launching into 'We Both Go Down Together' to the delight of the crowd; 'Won’t Wait for Love' is performed whilst the staged is drenched in scarlet with a cacophony of drums and '16 Military Wives' becomes a communal sing-song.
