Chicagoist: ReViewed: The Decemberists with the Grant Park Orchestra

Jocelyn Geboy

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 16:26:17 -0600

yeah, i heard a guy go ballistic. fking ballistic. no one was trying to get on stage or anything. there was a couple of guys who went up to the side and stood by the fence, and he was pushing them around and screaming in their faces. i do not believe they had any intention of rushing the stage, just wanted a better spot. and they were sort of clueless and didn't think about what it looked like. but that guy was crazy over the top.

Sarah

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 10:07:20 -0600

That's interesting, #20, because I was standing between two security guards at the front of the stage. When the rush happened, one of them started yelling about how "you canNOT stand here! you have to move back!" while the other attempted to clear a pathway. But after about 30 seconds of that and realizing the crowd wasn't doing any harm, they gave up. My friend asked one of the guards if the rush was "scary," and the dude, who was about 6'2, 250lbs. replied, "Na man. As long as they touch me, I don't care."

guest

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:22:23 -0600

"Implying that the atmosphere was a little too stuffy, Meloy invited everyone to rush forward to the stage, causing a minor security hissy fit." Minor? I've never been yelled at like that by a cop before... but at least I got off the lawn. That said, this was my eighth or ninth time seeing the band, and was by far my favorite. The shitty weather only made the show better - if it had been sunny, I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much. Slipping in the damp grass (and I was only slipping because the grass was damp, not because I had a tipple), hoping that the rain would hold out, it all added up to an amazing event. I thought the orchestra sounded great, at least from where I was.

guest

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 17:23:51 -0600

I agree, it was pretty bad.

Jocelyn Geboy

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 17:22:17 -0600

i was at the very front of the lawn and the sound was magnificent. maybe i don't have a classically trained ear -- well i know i don't -- but i could hear the orchestra just fine and i was thrilled to hear their music "properly" done. although it was rock enough for me to dance, i definitely think the orchestra was a perfect match for the decemberists' music. it sounds like people had widely varying experiences.

bran

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 16:13:44 -0600

hm. and by "here" i mean: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bran/sets/72157600889308961/

bran

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 16:08:39 -0600

after making a few rounds and realizing that there was absolutely nowhere i'd be able to see the band, i gave up and decided to just enjoy the music and take some photos of the atmosphere and incredible crowd. they're here. maybe you'll see yourself!

doppler

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:27:30 -0600

On the lawn, I thought the sound was shit. The only thing you could hear was Colin's voice. The low end didn't exist, and the orchestra could have been mistaken for just speaker noise. I'm certain it was much better up front, but I got there at about 3:50 and I was still 1/3 of the way back on the lawn. Total musical disappointment. I still thought it was an awesome experience though, as everyone was in good spirits and the rain was just a sprinkle (until the end).

be

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 14:29:46 -0600

I'll admit, I left after a few songs, so I didn't really give the show a fair chance. But from reading the reviews at the Tribune & Sun Times, I'm glad I didn't waste any more of my time. I've seen the Grant Park Orchestra play many times and last nights performance was by far their worst. I was toward the back on the lawn and the sound was horrible, which is terribly disappointing considering the typically amazing sound quality at Pritzker Pavillion. I wonder if this concert would have been better carried out in an indoor concert hall where the orchestra could stand a little more on its own without having to compete through the sound system with the band. Who really wants to be responsible for mixing dozens of orchestral musicians AND a rock band. Certain parts are bound to get lost in the mix. The orchestration for the first few songs mostly sounded awkward. As a classically trained musician myself, I can tell you that classically trained musicians usually have a lot of trouble playing rock and roll, because it's almost impossible to notate pop music with the appropriate expression and inflection that makes it pop music. Some of the brass parts that I heard just made me cringe. The best moments happened when the orchestra wasn't playing. I am glad, however, that so many people had a good time and enjoyed the show. I'm just wondering if everyone was caught up in the kitschy idea behind the concert rather than hearing the concert for what it was (ohhh an indie rock band is playing with a professional orchestra! this has to be good!).

Jocelyn Geboy

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 13:07:01 -0600

there was a woman in back of me on the lawn who was super PISSED when people stood up (there was a song early on that colin asked people to stand on). i had been dancing since about the second or third song, but this lady was mad that she couldn't see. granted, i love to see bands, too, but they were all mini from where we were. there wasn't much to see. and for the price that we all paid for the ticket, i'm going to dance. hell, i'm going to dance when i pay for a ticket, too. someone retorted to someone else that it was a rock show and this guy (younger, looked like) yelled back "it's NOT a rock show, there's an orchestra." oh. okay. they want people to dance. i don't get the people who are mad when people dance. and yes, the crazy dancers were hilarious. good for them.

guest

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 12:59:36 -0600

Thanks to a work connection, my girlfriend and I were able to get seats about 20 rows from the stage, so we were very close (a nice change after "seeing" them at the Riv but not being able to get close enough to actually, you know, SEE them). The show was great, especially the energy-packed encore, which I loved despite the departure of the orchestra, which otherwise provided a rich backdrop that perfectly suited the band's sound. I did think the crowd was pretty funny though, especially all the little umbrellas the oldsters brought. I guess it doesn't usually matter if you can "see" the orchestra.

Rubber Shark

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 12:49:52 -0600

We were parked dead center on the lawn and could see NOTHING of the stage for all of the people. That said, the sound was FANTASTIC (take THAT, Pitchfork), and a great time was had by everyone around us, dancing, and acting like fools! The rain wasn't much of a factor at all until about 15 minutes after they'd finished... love me some Decemberists!

Bill V

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 12:49:33 -0600

I was about 1/3 back in the center of the lawn and could see the stage, not worth taking any photos though. I did get up front for the last couple of songs (of course I was invited to do so) and it was so fun dancing and singing and clapping with everyone. Great show all around. Did get soaked on the bike ride back to civilization, but totally worth it! Great photos!

j_am

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 11:48:46 -0600

Well, now I'm even more sad that I had to miss the show :(

michellemybelle

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 11:46:37 -0600

This was my 5th time seeing them, and I thought it was great. This was also my first time seeing anything at Millenium Park - very nice! I wish the interpretive dancer guys were around to do their take on "The Mariner's Revenge" though - those guys certainly let their freak flags fly!

Sarah

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 11:34:03 -0600

Yes, I was blessed with front-row seats, which provided the best view I've ever had at the park and a great shelter from the rain. I truly feel for the hardcores who stuck it out all the way out in the back in the rain. In the front, I felt like they were playing a show just for me, but then I'd turn around and see a never-ending sea of people. It was such a contrast to every other free concert I've seen at Millennium Park.

Jocelyn Geboy

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 11:21:26 -0600

yes!! yes!! what a great show. looks like you were right up in front. it was so wonderful to hear them with an orchestra. when they started the first song, i felt tears at the back of my eyes. managed not to look like a fool and cry, but the sound was visceral and overwhelming in a good way. loved the lightning background during the final song, "the mariner's revenge song." so perfect. great 'effing show.

guest

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 11:20:48 -0600

14,000 is the attendance that I heard.

guest

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 11:15:17 -0600

Great review! Great pictures! Great show!!

StephanieSays

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 11:09:53 -0600

I was there, but all the way in the back of the lawn. Couldn't see a thing, but the sound was incredible. It was my first time seeing them live & I've been looking forward to this basically all summer. They didn't disappoint. Nice review, also.

Julene McCoy

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 10:58:50 -0600

Love the pics and the review!! Looks like a fun time was had.

HeaveMediaLisa

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 10:57:11 -0600

This was my third time seeing them live, and the show (despite the insane crowd) was really really good. Their music is always so pretty live, and Meloy is so comfortable and funny on stage. "I Was Meant For the Stage," was AMAZING! It sounded just incredible with the GP orchestra. very awesome (and free!) night indeed!