The Belle and Sebastian concert on July 6 at the Hollywood Bowl was amazing, although this was one of the oddest rock concerts i've ever been to, because of the setting and the fact that the Los Angeles Philharmonic played along with Belle and Sebastian for pretty much the entire set. During the first few numbers the audience was remarkably subdued. Everyone was sitting very still in their seats. That in and of itself is not unusual for the Hollywood Bowl—the audiences tend to be a little older and drink wine and eat Trader Joe's brand Brie. But the presence of the Philharmonic had people really glued to their seats. I mean there wasn't even much of the headbobbing and rhythmically gentle swaying in the seats and stuff. but it wasn't like the band came across as bored or anything. it was just that everything felt extra classed up and people didn't want to disturb the serenity. Despite the ultra-relaxed (though not marijuana-induced for the most part, we did smell some on the wind) vibe, the band was awesome!
By the fifth song, Sukie In the Graveyard, the crowd members seemed to remember that they were at a rock show and not a wine tasting. I wish I was a bigger fan of the band, thoug because I really cannot recall many of the specific songs from the set list in any order, but I recognized a fair share of tracks, having acquited The Life Pursuit (free from emusic) shortly before the show, and also having seen them earlier this year at the Wiltern.
Stuart Murdoch (lead singer) was great and his energy started slowly getting more people out of their seats after Sukie. He ran around the catwalkish platform that separate the orchestra area seats from the rest of the boxes and interacted with the crowd at one point asking for a dress (which someone had an extra one to give) and mascara, which he allowed someone to apply during Dress Up In You (I think it was that song?). Also anytime a happy sounding, tenor-voiced Scottish boy talks to you, one cannot help but be lightened.
Perhaps what makes a show stand out for me almost more than anything is when I can sense that the band members are really digging the vibe and seems appreciative of the fact that they make their living as musicians who get to perform most every night. And Stuart and Co. definitely did that. They were genuinely thankful to the Shins, who opened and were excellent, and also the L.A. Phil multiple times calling out for the audience to give it up for some of Los Angeles's finest. The addition of the orchestra was mostly excellent. They did a nice job with the arrangements avoiding the classic pitfall or laying down elevator music-orchestrations underneath pop songs. Instead the strings and harp!!!! just added texture to a band that already enhances its songs with lots of keys and some horns and solo strings.
Another thing that I truly love is when the encore closes a show bigtime. And this show did not disappoint. The band came out sans Philharmonic for its encore—something that really brought the crowd out of its seats and into the asphalt walkways that separate the tiers.
[Aside: And since it's a Hollywood Bowl crowd at a KCRW show (that's not associated with like Chocolate City of Sounds Eclectico) it was VERY white so lots of people who danced like they learned watching the Woodstock movie. That's not an exact compliment. I mean, it's cool that these people had the music in them, but still ...]
And when the band closed with The Boy with the Arab Strap the show blew off the metaphorical (though non-existant) roof. People cheered and more took to their feet as the opening bars were played, but when Stuart ran out on the catwalkway again someone pulled himself (or herself hard to tell from the second last row of the second last tier) and started dancing with Stuart. Then seeing that Stuart was into it and the security seemed at least not against it, dozens of people joined them up there. [at this point most people in the lower sections were on their feet.] As Stuart emerged from the dancing mass back on the stage, people's courage and enthusiasm really bubbled up. They hopped on the stage and engaged the band in a spirited Dance Party USA thang to which the band responded with cheers and more dancing. Security even was reasonably tolerant not utilizing any pro-wrestling takedowns and even indulging the fans for a minute. As the band started to disappear behind the fans though, security started moving in and gently encouraging people with force to vacate the stage (no tickets though, as we saw fans immediately just head back to their seats).
"It's the last song, let 'em stay!" Stuart yelled out though to thunderous applause and wild cheers. But the security peeps didn't pay that any heed as future stage hoppers were immediately escorted, gently but with force.
Meanwhile, the scene near us in Row 19 of Section R, had finally cleared out pretty much, as many of the fans nearby were whitedancing in the aisles. This was a welcome change because the fans in the two rows in front of us couldn't stop with the getting up and musical chairing. It was good-natured, but nevertheless disruptive, though.
And when the show ended after a 1:45 minute set from Belle and Sebastian it was standing O and mad cheering. Wow!
btw, I'd like to post a picture, but I don't want to steal, so check out this link.
1 comment:
JEALOUS. MAJORLY.
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