When Sufjan Comes to your town...

[bradberad12]

Okay, just got back from the Sufjan show in Vancouver, and wanted to do a little review slash heads up for when he comes to Seattle slash Portland.

It's heavy on the new material, but I have to say this - the show is theatrical, orchestral and most importantly, extremely well rehearsed. If you go in expecting this, you will be really satisfied with the show. If you're waiting to hear Chicago, or anything else off of Illinois, well, go see him in 2006.

I am not going to spoil too much, but the opener was off of an older album and was powerful. "too much" and "vesuvius" were other highlights.

Another piece of advice - you will possibly all be sitting in your seats when him and his dancers slash backing vocalists put on some neon clothing. The song they will play is 'Impossible Soul (part 4)'. Do yourself a favour and get up and dance immediately. Us vancouverites were lulled into staying sitting until a few finally got the guts to get up and dance to a perfectly good dancing song. By then it was awkwardly too late.

Enjoy the Show!

[wolfhat]

Man, I always miss him when he comes to town. Somehow I only hear about his shows after they've gone on sale, and therefore are sold out. Then again, I was up front for his Sasquatch performance a few years back and it was unforgettable, so I feel I haven't completely missed out. I haven't listened to anything off the new album yet. I'll have to give it a whirl. Illinois will always have a place in my heart though.

[Horned Gramma]

Hey Brad, was there an opening act?

[bradberad12]

Sort of.

Sufjan's Pianist DM Stith plays 4-5 accoustic songs as an opener. He was decent to listen to, but you're not missing much by coming late. Especially if it means smoking a joint instead.

[Horned Gramma]

WORD.

[Horned Gramma]

Just want to say that this was one of the greatest shows I have ever seen. Astonishing.

[Friendly Destroyer]

Sufjan and Shara Worden at the Fox Theatre was pure magic in 2006, lucky you guys!

[Horned Gramma]

Did he really not play 'Chicago' at your show, Brad?

[bradberad12]

He did play 'Chicago'. However my comment was more of a reference to the fact that the theme of the evening was decidedly not an indie-folk concert like you may expect listening to Chicago, or Illinois as a whole.

Plus, without the strings, Chicago lacked the depth and power I was hoping for. Of couse that was well compensated by the fact that the rest of the show was spectacular.