speed of dark

Wolf Parade put on an unbelievable show last Saturday night at the Henry Fonda Theatre, making this the third time Alt-gramma and I have seen them play live. This show, at a larger venue from when we saw them last fall at the Glasshouse and the crowd, accordingly, was much larger and MUCH rowdier. However, I could understand the need that the fans seemed to feel to thrash around - I jumped and screamed and danced and had an outstanding time. Poor Alt-gramma got shoved around a bit, but that didn't stop her from taking some amazing photos.

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The band alternated between showcasing their new album, At Mount Zoomer, and bringing out old favorites from Apologies to the Queen Mary. There did not appear to be a setlist written anywhere; in between songs, Spencer Krug would play a few notes on his keyboard as a cue for his fellow band members. At a couple of points during the show, the band huddled and were heard to be discussing the next song to play. The whole band seemed comfortable and excited, full of energy and ready to rock. Spencer and Dan were in top form, but on occasion, they were drowned out by the sound of us eager fans, singing the lyrics back to them.



While I know that Apologies... is one of my top albums of all time, I wasn't immediately taken by At Mt. Zoomer. But I remember that when I first listened to that album, I fell in love with one or two songs and disdained the others. Then eventually, I would listen to a song that I previously didn't care for and found that it was lovely and genius. This happened until the entire album was my favorite, and I played it over and over and never got tired of it. Now with their new album, Wolf Parade has done the same thing to me, and hearing these tracks played live with such energy just made me want to hear more. The songs on the new album are quite different from Apologies..., and I wouldn't want it any other way.

Set List:
1. You Are A Runner and I Am My Father's Son [buy]
2. Solider's Grin
3. Call it a Ritual [buy]
4. The Grey Estates
5. Dear Sons and Daughters of Hungry Ghosts
6. Language City [buy]
Dan mumbles something about Eastern European politics
7. An Animal in Your Care
8. Shine a Light [buy]
9. Bang Your Drum
10. Grounds for Divorce
11. Fine Young Cannibals
12. California Dreamer
13. This Heart's on Fire
14. Kissing the Beehive

ENCORE:
15. It's a Curse
Dan puts on a white beret, claiming that he loves a good beret
16. I'll Believe in Anything
17. Fancy Claps

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