Post by VALT on Jul 13, 2018 11:02:49 GMT -5
I had an awesome time at the DC show. This is the fourth time I’ve seen them in here (third at DC9) and while I appreciate the consistency with which they’ve come through town, I never imagined that they’d play their last show here.
As can be expected, the small but faithful crowd was wondering what this would mean? Would they play their normal set, say thank you, and leave? Would they make this final set a grand affair to celebrate their 17 years of creativity?
I would say a little bit of both. The band played tightly through a somewhat anticipated setlist, filled with banter, jokes and asides in which the whole band participated. I must say this was one of the best versions of the band I’ve seen. They were so tight, even as Carey was able to walk us to the edge and back on numerous occasions.
Funny specific-to-DC story. He recalled a guy at the previous show who was right up front and laughing/howling at all of the banter (which is not always funny right? The fun part is that they talk to the crowd, and that a lot of times it is actually funny!). Carey did a hilarious rendition of this guy, who I totally remember! During the Carey’s Cold Spring tour, there was a guy totally like that, which was in my opinion 75% fun and 25% weird/offputting. Carey mentioned that on the drive to DC he was asking his bandmates – “hey do you think that guy will be there?” He asked the crowd if said guy was in attendance – crickets.
As they played, it seemed everyone in the room was a little giddy, including the band. Finally Carey acknowledged the elephant – saying that while Frog Eyes is ending, his desire to continue making music will not. He used an analogy comparing the band to an 18 year old child who must be now kicked out of the house. He emphasized that we shouldn’t be upset/morose. They had also played a considerably long set, likely including all of the songs that they had practiced for the tour, based on the other setlists I’ve seen.
After making a joke about the triteness of encores, he made us promised that we’d ask for “one more song” at the end of their closer, which I believe may have been “don’t sleep under the stars”?
Afterwards the band left, and Carey returned a few minutes later and played a solo Bushels – after which the rest of the band returned with The Cake. The insisted that everyone have a piece: it was delicious.
They launched into their final two songs – Sound Travels../Pay for Fire. Everyone was buzzing, including the band. Mel said something to Carey like….”thank you for bringing me on this journey”. Sure some people in the crowd were swallowing hard. I think I had a little dust in my eye. Here is my attempt on the setlist with a few notes, although I’m sure it is wrong, at least the order:
I Like Dot Dot Dot
Little Mothers
The Beat is Down
Masticated Outboard Motors (at this point Carey accuses someone of stealing his setlist – tells the crowd that we have remind him of how many songs they’ve played – fun banter with sound guy)
Boss’s Shirt
Policy Merchant (solo)
Idea Man (saying this song is about Jordan Peterson, or his ilk)
Rejoinders in the Storm
On a Finely Sewn Sleeve (Told story about song origins, essentially leading to “fuck billionaires” – Carey not impressed by cynical DC crowds reaction (or lack thereof).
Three Men Drown
Two Girls
Unconscious Missive
I Like Dot Dot Dot Idle Songs (Carey started singing the wrong song, and had to restart)
Violent Psalms (solo)
Oscillator Hums
Claxxon’s Lament
I Ain’t Around Much (Carey says he really likes playing this song)
Latex Ice Age
A Strand of Blue Stars
Don’t Sleep Under the Stars
Bushels - Cake Intermission
Sound Travels
Pay for Fire
As can be expected, the small but faithful crowd was wondering what this would mean? Would they play their normal set, say thank you, and leave? Would they make this final set a grand affair to celebrate their 17 years of creativity?
I would say a little bit of both. The band played tightly through a somewhat anticipated setlist, filled with banter, jokes and asides in which the whole band participated. I must say this was one of the best versions of the band I’ve seen. They were so tight, even as Carey was able to walk us to the edge and back on numerous occasions.
Funny specific-to-DC story. He recalled a guy at the previous show who was right up front and laughing/howling at all of the banter (which is not always funny right? The fun part is that they talk to the crowd, and that a lot of times it is actually funny!). Carey did a hilarious rendition of this guy, who I totally remember! During the Carey’s Cold Spring tour, there was a guy totally like that, which was in my opinion 75% fun and 25% weird/offputting. Carey mentioned that on the drive to DC he was asking his bandmates – “hey do you think that guy will be there?” He asked the crowd if said guy was in attendance – crickets.
As they played, it seemed everyone in the room was a little giddy, including the band. Finally Carey acknowledged the elephant – saying that while Frog Eyes is ending, his desire to continue making music will not. He used an analogy comparing the band to an 18 year old child who must be now kicked out of the house. He emphasized that we shouldn’t be upset/morose. They had also played a considerably long set, likely including all of the songs that they had practiced for the tour, based on the other setlists I’ve seen.
After making a joke about the triteness of encores, he made us promised that we’d ask for “one more song” at the end of their closer, which I believe may have been “don’t sleep under the stars”?
Afterwards the band left, and Carey returned a few minutes later and played a solo Bushels – after which the rest of the band returned with The Cake. The insisted that everyone have a piece: it was delicious.
They launched into their final two songs – Sound Travels../Pay for Fire. Everyone was buzzing, including the band. Mel said something to Carey like….”thank you for bringing me on this journey”. Sure some people in the crowd were swallowing hard. I think I had a little dust in my eye. Here is my attempt on the setlist with a few notes, although I’m sure it is wrong, at least the order:
I Like Dot Dot Dot
Little Mothers
The Beat is Down
Masticated Outboard Motors (at this point Carey accuses someone of stealing his setlist – tells the crowd that we have remind him of how many songs they’ve played – fun banter with sound guy)
Boss’s Shirt
Policy Merchant (solo)
Idea Man (saying this song is about Jordan Peterson, or his ilk)
Rejoinders in the Storm
On a Finely Sewn Sleeve (Told story about song origins, essentially leading to “fuck billionaires” – Carey not impressed by cynical DC crowds reaction (or lack thereof).
Three Men Drown
Two Girls
Unconscious Missive
I Like Dot Dot Dot Idle Songs (Carey started singing the wrong song, and had to restart)
Violent Psalms (solo)
Oscillator Hums
Claxxon’s Lament
I Ain’t Around Much (Carey says he really likes playing this song)
Latex Ice Age
A Strand of Blue Stars
Don’t Sleep Under the Stars
Bushels - Cake Intermission
Sound Travels
Pay for Fire