DCist: Supernatural Supergroovy: R.E.M. @ Merriweather

tvc15

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:00:32 -0500

err.. should have known dcist would do a piece on this show. I missed it because I was very hungover. The food at Merriweather is gross- why they think folks will want sugary donuts and sushi (in 95 degree heat? are they nuts?) is beyond me. So I forgot to eat, but didn't forget to drink.. oh boy. Great show - all three bands from what I remember. I recall thinking that both the National and Modest Mouse did quite an amazing job translating their music for a big venue. I saw Modest Mouse in '98 too (yep, I'm old too) and remembering them effing up all over the place but no one caring.

tilleym

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:23:17 -0500

@ SystemError... Thanks kind of what I figured. Midway through the set, I said to my friend, "I bet I'd enjoy this more if it were in a bar or small club." I guess that more or less could be said about any band, but being a couple hundred yards away from the stage makes a loose playing less forgiving.

MasterShake

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:23:03 -0500

I concur with most of what was written in the review. A little disappointed that they didn't play "Sitting Still" as they did the previous night in Raleigh, and they should really drop Ignoreland from the setlist, particularly if it comes at the expense of songs from Murmer. Otherwise, a pretty amazing show. Oh BTW, they've been closing with Man on the Moon for the last few years now. And the Obama cheers greatly outnumbered the boos.

SystemError

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:15:46 -0500

@tilleym Modest Mouse has always been like that. I saw them at Emo's in Austin in about '98 and Isaac went into the crowd as they were setting up to play and punched a guy in the face. Then got back on stage and stumbled through the set. Lots of "God damn"'s and singing into the guitar pickups. It was a hell of lot of fun, but "tight" is not a word to describe it. I feel old now.

rob

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:41:38 -0500

@mysterygirl what songs did the national open up with? i heard they played start a war, but we didn't get in until baby we'll be fine.

tilleym

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:27:04 -0500

I actually thought Modest Mouse was pretty sloppy and disappointing. I had been warned that they don't put on a good live performance, but dismissed it because those naysayers were typically only fans of the more radio friendly stuff. But they turned out to be true, in my opinion. And since I have been waiting a while to see them, I felt especially left down. I felt like "City Made of Ashes" kind of fell apart, and other songs just fell flat. I think maybe they suffer from having too many band members on stage not playing tightly.

mysterygirl

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:17:42 -0500

Just to echo BiggerHunt, The National's set was awesome. It was absolutely worth getting there early to see (and was my favorite part of the show, but I entered the show pretty biased in their favor).

IMGoph

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:23:05 -0500

wow, snark much? i like, kinda. riefland? is that on purpose?

BiggerHunt

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:13:12 -0500

Go to all that effort and not see The National? Waste of time. Nostalgia for a band on a cash grab tour is great for re-living your past. Modest Mouse/The National segment was the best of the show.

funfriends

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:10:06 -0500

I think that would be "yea."

the new demographers

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:01:30 -0500

Anyone know if this will be getting the NPR All Songs Considered concert podcast treatment?

HCE

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:32:06 -0500

A bit warm for the suit, eh Mike?

Ian Buckwalter

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:29:41 -0500

Damn. Now I'm wishing I'd gone. Even if I do hate Merriweather.