We got into town for the show really early, which was good because the Murat
is a really elusive theatre. No matter how hard you try, if you're from out
of town, you can't ever find it on your first 5 tries. There were a lot of
people outside the theatre, sitting around the barricades. I don't know if
they were trying to a sighting or what. We just wanted to park and eat
dinner. My girlfriend, Pam, and I ate cheese pizza and a baguette with cheese
on it respectively. The place is called Bazbeaux Pizza on Massachusetts
Avenue. If you're around town, try it.
But I digress...Drum and Tuba opened for her. They have an interesting sound,
but no was seemed too interested, as they never really do, until the moment
Ani came out to play bongos with the band. People screamed, I was forced to
stand up because everyone else was, and she did a darned good job. She exited
the stage, people sat down, and began talking over the band again. Then she
snuck out on stage and sang a little song with them. I don't know if the
people were too tired or what, because no one stood this time, even though
her voice was amazing. It was beautiful. Jason Mercer and Julie Wolf also
helped the band on some songs.
Ani came on stage at around 8:20. She started out with "Virtue." From the
beginning the show was really high energy and the band seemed to be having a
good time. She started out with all newer songs, all LPC and Up era stuff.
When she jumped way way back and did an amazing version of "If He Tries
Anything." She also did "Firedoor," which I never expected in a million
years. Ani and Julie did a little "Angry Anymore" together, and after that
everyone but Ani left the stage, so she could do "some poetry." She did a
very touching "Pulse" and followed it up with a solo "Independence Day."
Everyone came back, did a wonderful "Anticipate," a jazzy "The Diner," an
unusually long into for the band (but it was really grooving) and a wacky
version of "Shameless." Show's over. Well at least until the audience stomped
and clapped. Which proved fruitful because the band came out and gave us two
amazing encores. The new "Gravel," which Julie's piano and Ani's voice at the
beginning are a striking combination, and "Overlap," and that's always been
such a touching song.
Of course my only compaint with the show was the big haired, dancing girl in
front of my 5'3" short self. Well that and the weird girls that yelled out
random song lyrics and the one guy who screamed "We love you, BABY!" We do
love you, baby. But some things should be left un-yelled.
TellMeNow