The Decemberists
Photos and review by Jennie Book
@jenniebookphotography
The Decemberists came to the Fox Theater in Oakland on a sunny July 13th summer evening, and the venue was already packed with an elder-millennials crowd by the time openers Ratboy took the stage. Then right on schedule at 9, The Decemberists began with an acoustic set and soft lighting and reduced bandmates at center stage for a few songs, then jumped into a faster lane with “Don’t Carry It All” on song four. The set was colorful and well-lit, and it was clear had been decorated by a band that’s been around the touring block and likes to be comfortable while they travel from stage to stage. Fans got a homey vibe free from ostentation, with Colin Meloy’s voice leading the way through the set like a bright beam cutting through the night.
The Decemberists are touring their new album As It Ever Was, So Will It Be Again, and given the size of their back catalog a surprisingly large percentage of the set was devoted to new material. We heard “Long White Veil” and “Oh No!” and “Burial Ground,” and the evening ended with a single song (but the length of many songs) encore of “Joan In The Garden.” Some crowd-pleasing older favorites included “The Sporting Life” and “O Valencia!”
Meloy and band looked glad to be on stage touring together, with Meloy’s voice as distinctive as ever and in great form. Bandmates Chris Funk, Jenny Conlee, Nate Query, and John Moen played as a tight unit, with touring musicians Lizzy Ellison and Victor Nash adding lots of character alongside the accordions, french horns, and trumpets that made appearances throughout the night.
The Decemberists have a long way still to go on this tour, and with the setlist changing night to night it’s a great opportunity for fans to see multiple performances in multiple cities. For all the latest news and info check out www.thedecemberists.com and @thedecemberists.
