Cate’s Musings

Oh great calamity,
Ditch of iniquity and tears
How I abhor this place
Its sweet and bitter taste
Has left me wretched, retching on all fours
Los Angeles, I’m yours

Thus goes the final verse of the Decemberists‘ song called “Los Angeles, I’m Yours”. Well, I’m sure that when they were writing those lyrics, they weren’t thinking about what it would be like to play a show at the Hollywood Bowl with the LA Philharmonic. Because if they had imagined for just one second the extreme awesomeness of such a show, I’ m sure their opinion of this city would have changed.

And indeed last night’s show was extremely awesome. And not only because of the Decemberists and the orchestra, but also because of the 2 opening acts, Band of Horses and Andrew Bird. As I said to my friend Bret (who is in my Top 10 list of Amazing Concert-Going Partners) after Bird finished playing, it’s not often that you go to a show and feel like you’ve gotten your money’s worth before the main act goes on.

Band of Horses (pictured above) opened the show with the lead singer telling us he was going to “try not to throw up”. And who can blame the guy? A year ago I saw them play at the Echo, where capacity is probably somewhere between 300 and 500 (I’m clearly guessing here). Capacity at the Hollywood Bowl is “just under 18,000″, according to the website. Needless to say, he couldn’t get over the size of the audience. It was rather endearing. They rocked the house and when they started “Funeral” it got its due props from the crowd (most of which came early enough to catch all 3 acts). I loved the show at the Echo for it’s intimacy, but it was nice to hear the songs holding up in a place the size of the Hollywood Bowl.

Andrew Bird. Okay, where to start with this guy. I LOVE his music. If you’re not listening to it, you’ve lost your way somehow, you’ve strayed from the path. Stop, buy the CDs, and then continue on with your life. And go see him live. This was the first show I’d been to, and I guarantee I’ll be there next time he’s in town. He manages to switch from guitar to violin and back again in record time, all while pushing pedals with nothing but striped socks on his feet. And of course he sings, throws in some xylophone for good measure, and whistles. Oh the whistling. This guy wasn’t named Bird for nothin’. With only a drummer (who also plays keyboards) and bassist backing him up, he creates a beautiful wall of sound.

And finally, the Decemberists took the stage with the orchestra on a riser behind them. It was unreal. Last summer I saw Belle & Sebastian play with the LA Phil, and while I’m not a huge B&S fan, that too was a fantastic show. And it ruined me. I can’t ever see them play again because it’ll never come close. So I am now, I think, also ruined for other Decemberists shows. I’d be the one in the back grumbling that the song was MUCH better with a timpani, and wow, this really isn’t so great without a string section. And seriously, the harpist and oboist, they really brought a lot to the whole thing.

Yet another glorious night in Los Angeles. Being at the Hollywood Bowl always makes me love this city more. It’s one of those places that makes me feel lucky to live here and stop and go “Look! Just LOOK at where we are!! Isn’t this place GREAT?” It seems that Los Angeles, I am indeed yours.

More photos up on my Flickr page very soon…

Update:  I just found this great review for the show over on Losanjealous.com.  Well worth a read!