While most of the DC indieverse was at the 9:30 Club last night seeing johnny-come-lately's The New Pornographers and Belle & Sebastian, us grizzled music veterans took our ears and admiration over to the Black Cat to catch the "semi-legendary" Wedding Present play their second D.C. gig in les than a year. While their setlist at this gig was less hit heavy than the last go 'round, David Gedge and company didn't dissapoint.

The band reached back into their rich 20+ year history, playing a note-perfect version of their first ever single "Go Out And Get 'Em Boy," along with fan fave "Brassneck" and a host of other pop gems, including a few from his short lived side project Cinerama. New tour guitarist (and former Weddoes sound man) Chris McConville, stepping in for Simon Cleave (who declined to participate in this tour) did admirably in keeping up with the 45 year-old Gedge on stage. While not the most charismatic replacement, McConville did fine in replicating The Wedding Present's distinct guitar sound.

Gedge's wit and trademark comedic stylings were on display late in the set as the crowd, one after the other, started shouting requests to Gedge, who would reply with "Oh, that's a brilliant song," or "An absolute corker, that one" before mock-chiding the audience by asking "Have you ever known us to do requests?"

(All photos by leafblower, used by permission)

Openers Sally Crewe and the Sudden Moves started their set to a near empty club but won the late arrivers over with her brand of chunky and effervescent pop, not unlike that of The Cars or her labelmate Spoon. By the end of the show most of the crowd was inching towards the stage and nodding their heads along to songs like "Good Morning Aston Martin." (Download the MP3 here.)