Belle & Sebastian played at the Hollywood Bowl last Thursday, July 6th.
I was there.
Some thoughts...
It was a bit odd to see the mix of indie folks, fan boys/girls, LA yuppies ambling towards the Hollywood Bowl with grocery bags and coolers full of wine, hummus, and pita bread. M & I met up with John Jr. who scored a ticket off of Craigslist as well as a better seat than us! (We were in the promenade, while he was in the garden seating area.)
The Shins were pleasant enough playing many songs I recognized but never knew they sang. Like many in the audience, I hummed along to "New Slang" since I think we all watched "Garden State".
After their short set, I rushed to the concession stand to buy a bottle of white wine due to picnic basket envy and found the prices somewhat reasonable. ($21 for a decent zinfandel at a concert venue? Not bad.)
After a couple glasses of wine, the LA Philharmonic appeared on stage playing orchestral music from Todd Solondz' "Storytelling". I could give you a blow by blow account of what happened next, but that would be boring. Instead, I'll say that the show was AWESOME, especially if you like awesome stuff. (Sure, I'm biased, but then again I'm one of those B&S fanboys.)
Other reviews (e.g. LA Times) have called Belle & Sebastian's performance "Bachrachian" or something similar. This may be true but their performance didn't bring that to mind for me. The LA Philharmonic certainly enhanced the show but didn't overshadow the songs. I basked in the glow of hearing some of my favorite pop songs for the first time live, such as "La Pastie de la Bourgeoisie" and "Dirty Dream #2". If I could have, I would have join the jubilant stage invasion/dance party which happened near the show's end.
Belle & Sebastian with the LA Philharmonic @ the Hollywood Bowl
Setlist for July 6th, 2006:
Storytelling harmonica - fuck this shit?
Fought in a war
Pastie de la bourgeoisie
The model
Sukie in the graveyard
Don't leave the light on
Waking up to us
Jonathan david
If she wants me
Lord anthony
Dear catastrophe waitress
If your feeling sinister
covers blown
Dirty dream # 2
I'm a cuckoo
Wrong girl
Caught in love
Sleep the clock around
The state that I am in
Boy with the arab strap
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