Supporting their new album The Life Pursuit, BELLE AND SEBASTIAN played the second of two sold-out nights at the new Nokia Theater. They proved that their previous reputation as a shambling, inconsistent and awkward live band is well in the past and out of date. Instead, much like when I caught them last October as part of the Across the Narrows festival at Keyspan Park in Coney Island, they delivered a tight, enjoyable and smooth set focusing on songs from the new album but covering a substantial portion of their back catalog as well.
Aside from the new songs, like the T REX-ish “The Blues are Still Blue,” “White Collar Boy,” “Act of the Apostle” and UK single “Funny Little Frog,” the highlights were a rousing version of the B-side “Your Cover’s Blown,” an acoustic version of “Piazza, New York Catcher” featuring just principal singer/songwriter STUART MURDOCH and guitarists STEVIE JACKSON (who also sang the new album’s “To Be Myself Completely” and “The Wrong Girl,” the best song from Folds Your Hands Child, You Look Like a Peasant) and BOBBY KILDEA, as well as the first song of the encore, the beautiful and lilting “Judy and the Dream of Horses.”
During “Piazza, New York Catcher,” I heard a few guys to the right of me commenting (loudly and rudely) about how Stuart knows nothing about baseball (the song references former New York Mets catcher MIKE PIAZZA and alludes to former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher SANDY KOUFAX as well in one line). Of course, nothing could be further from the truth, since Stuart is a huge baseball fan. And since he likes the Mets, we know that he has good taste.
Unfortunately, this would not be the first time that certain audience members bothered me throughout the evening. In fact, I don’t remember the last time I encountered audience behavior so rude at a show. Aside from an annoying couple who were bumping and grinding the whole night (get a room) and taking pictures of each other (not the band, each other!) the entire night with their friends’ help, the biggest annoyance came during “Judy and the Dream of Horses.”
A couple of idiot frat boys dressed up in hipster clothes were screaming the lyrics in the quiet section right in my ear. They’d been at it for about half of the night, so finally I said something to them and eventually they shut up. Seriously, I tried to tune them out, but I finally had to say something. They almost ruined the show for me, but Belle and Sebastian’s performance, taking advantage of the crystal-clear sound at the Nokia Theater, was so strong that it ultimately made it worthwhile.
Seeing THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS as an opener was a bit weird, since they headlined the two previous times I’d seen them. Nevertheless, despite missing the services of DAN BEJAR (currently touring with his band DESTROYER) and NEKO CASE (currently touring for her new solo album Fox Confessor Brings the Flood), they played a riveting hour-long set that encompassed material from all three of their studio albums, including last year’s excellent Twin Cinema.
Just like when they played Prospect Park Bandshell last June without Neko and Dan, keyboardist KATHRYN CALDER filled in for Neko on harmonies and on lead vocals on “Letter from an Occupant,” “Mass Romantic” and “Bones of an Idol.” Singer/songwriter/leader CARL NEWMAN not only sang his own songs, but Bejar’s as well, including “A Testament to Youth in Verse” and “Jackie Dressed in Cobras” (with help from drummer KURT DAHLE). And much to my delight, they all sounded fine, though something was still missing.
Regarding the absent Bejar and Case, I honestly don’t understand why they don’t just all tour together. That triple bill could also fill two nights at Nokia, without Belle and Sebastian or another more popular headliner, and all the members would be there to sing and play their parts. It would be like last fall’s show at the TLA in Philadelphia where Destroyer and Calder’s other band, IMMACULATE MACHINE, opened up for The New Pornographers.
Nevertheless, my complaints with the audience aside, this was a fantastic double bill at a great new venue.
The above photo is from the flickr account of someone cleverly named Vegan in Furs
