Calvin College’s Hoogenboom Health and Recreation Center played host to a sold-out crowd, but it was The Decemberists’ and their lead singer Colin Meloy who overcame the big venue’s makeshift accommodations and stole the show.
Returning for the first time since 2004, the folk-indie group’s Monday show entertained a large-scale audience, but maintained the atmosphere of a small-venue set.
In front of 2,000 standing fans partitioned by mostly unused aluminum folding chairs, Meloy’s grandiose stage presence – he often stood on an elevated appendage of the stage, guitar raised in hand, one-time saying “Bono does this a lot” – complemented a personal, quirky demeanor that kept the audience comfortably in admiration. Meloy even read aloud a fan’s “Will you go to prom with me?” note and followed up the Bono-bit with a kindhearted jab at the lack of social offerings in Grand Rapids during Easter weekend.
All stage exploits considered, The Decemberists’ music proved more than sufficient in keeping the audience engaged. Despite less than desirable acoustics and a quieter than normal sound system, the band’s trademark emotionally-charged anthems and educated lyrics came through with clarity.
This was true for hits new and old. Playing largely from their latest album, “The King is Dead” the band featured a chanting, drum-heavy rendition of “This Is Why We Fight,” a sensitive dedication to his autistic son with “Rise to Me,” and a diverse display of talent encored with the album’s lead track, “Don’t Carry It All.” The night even included two encores, where the group showed off their newly-released seasonal tunes, “January Hymn” and “June Hymn.”
Though light on the “Picaresque” album, the group sampled a variety of tracks from older CD’s. Playing in front of an alternating-color, foliage-themed backdrop that reminded of their Northwestern roots, the Portland natives performed a high-energy performance of “The Rake’s Song.”
Meloy regularly got the audience involved, inviting the crowd to join in refrains from “Sons and Daughters” and “Sixteen Military Wives.” Complementing Meloy’s vocals was guest singer/violinist Sarah Watkins.
Led by Meloy, the four band members and Watkins delivered an engaging concert that highlighted the extent of the band’s eclectic capabilities. Intimate even on a big stage, The Decemberists’ demonstrated a personal flair and wide-ranging talent in any venue.
-Andrew Knot
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