The Decemberists Tickets

The Decemberists did it again!! Awesome concert! We survived the snowpocalypse!!!!!! very engaging!

good show, liked the fact they did things a bit differently with their opening and the way they interacted with the audience

Providing a great set list combining the old and the new songs from the King Is Dead Album was a pleasure to be a part of. It was my first time to the sound academy in Toronto and I was quite pleased. Especially since my first choice was to go to the Royal Oak show in Michigan which turned out to be cancelled! My only complaint was the sound engineer could have supplied more bass as it was hard to hear from my vantage point (Balcony at the back) Oh, two complaints...My drive home to Sarnia Ontario after the show was horrible! Go to see this Show!

We had bought a couple of the Decemberists Albums over the years (including the recently released one), and always really liked the band. We were excited when we heard they were playing at a pretty intimate venue like the Sound Academy, but were not really sure what to expect, as they are a pretty low key band. Let me say, we were very happily surprised. They played a really great set, that got better as the gig went along, with more and more audience participation. Overall the sound was great and the set list was terrific too (I guess it helps when you are promoting a really good album). Also, well done for choosing a great support act in Wye Oak who did a great job.

I saw these guys while they were touring Picaresque and at the time I was sure it was the best live show I had ever seen. Now I'm not so sure. There is something special about a concept album, and to see that album played in its entirety is amazing. Plus the State Theatre is an amazing place to see any show.

I'd never seen The Decemberists live before. Man they put on a good show! The music was clear and loud. Fantastic! They sounded just like their CD! No hidden production tricks! Just quality music. They're serious about their music, but have a lot of fun on stage. Great venue. Great band. Great music. Can't wait 'til they swing Vancouver's way again!

For the most part, really amazing concerts tend to fall into one of two categories: intense, awe-inspiring spectacles that leave you speechless, and incredibly energetic, lighthearted shows that make you laugh and just plain have fun. Very rarely is a band able to merge these two experiences into one, and even more rarely is it done truly well. In their recent show at the University at Buffalo, The Decemberists were able to succed in this challenging feat, and provide a show that is able to both blow your mind with intensity and beauty, and then afterwards make you laugh and dance to a fun show. The first set of consists of the beautiful, tragic album "The Hazards of Love". Played fully, from beginning to end, the amazing music tells a magical tale about love, and the dangers that come along with it. The songs, which merge together to create one long medly, are an assortment of beautiful, touching tunes from the lovers, intense, angry songs from the evil forest queen, and some disturbing, odd pieces voiced by the evil "rake". All of these amazing songs are performed in a very theatrical style, complete with costumes and stage movements that help tell the story contained within the music, and the experience is simply breathtaking. Especially notable is the work of multi-instrumentalist Jenny Conlee, whose keyboards and accordion set the mood for each song perfectly, and lead Colin Meloy who acts strongly in both of his roles, and gives a powerful voice which keeps the album moving. Although the first set itself would be enough to make this show an memorable, astonishing experience, the second set is what solidifies it's greatness. After tossing aside the theatrics, and coming onstage as themselves, the band plays through a fun, exciting set. Aside from this great music, Meloy makes the show very personal, through jokes and anecdotes, that add an extra element, and the entire band is very interactive and contributes to the energy. The Decemberists have one of the most powerful stage presences of any band, and it shows. Highlights include a crazy cover of "Crazy on You" by heart, sung by the girls who voiced the female characters on the album, and a very dramatic, astonishing performance of "Shankill Butchers", complete with a backstory. Altogether, The Decemberists put on an amazing show, one of the absolute best I have ever seen, and it is an experience that is not to be passed up. Anybody who has the chance to see this band live should embrace it, and be prepared for an amazing experience.

This is the second time I've seen The Decemberists at UB Center for the Arts. It's a great Venue. Unfortunately, the seats being as comfortable as they are, nobody stands for the show, severely limiting the energy of the crowd (how do you RAWK with your ass in your seat?)

Anytime you have the chance to see the Decemberists- you should! Amazing show. No need to say anything more, just amazing. Only missing a big accordion number this time around. Note to the kool Haus- how about turning on the a/c. Having people faint on the floor is not "kool". And louder is not always better- time to bring in an acoustic consultant.

Great gig by a great band at a great venue. From the opening keyboard notes to the final song, The Decemberists played like there was no tomorrow. With the addition of female vocalists Becky Stark and Shara Worden, the first set had them pull a near perfect performance of their recent concept album "Hazards of Love" to a T, excepting Mr. Meloy's botched lyrics at the beginning [it happens to the best]. Other than that, a great concert thoroughly enjoyed by myself, wife, daughter and about 1500 other patrons.

What an amazing band. They have such an array of talent at their disposal! I love hearing instruments you wouldn't necessarily expect, like the accordion or the mandolin, on their albums, and it's even cooler to witness it live. They had a lot of energy in the first half of their show, during which they played their newest album, Hazards of Love, straight through without stopping. Very, very cool - you could feel the build-up, the climax, the denouement of the story. The second half involved some old material, and some so new that it hasn't even been released on an album yet. Colin Meloy interacted with the audience like a pro, we got to do some singing along, and I think everyone enjoyed themselves and went away satisfied. Definitely a band worth seeing live!

The Decemberists absolutely rocked the Kool Haus. The Hazards of Love from beginning to end and an extra dozen songs (including some new songs) and all of it had the crowd on the tip of their toes looking and listening in awe.

It was an awesome show! I'd never seen the decemberists before, and really wasn't sure what to expect. All of the songs on their latest album - the hazards of love - are related, and so it really made sense that they played it all in entirety. I was definitely happy about that. And their second set was collection that really showed their range and talent. I also really appreciated the lead singer getting the crowd involved. Always makes for a good show. all in all, two thumbs up!

The Decemberists were fantastic, the first half of the show they played "The Hazards Of Love" album, all the way through without stopping! I was really impressed with all of the instrument quick changes and everyone played flawlessly. Live, the songs I wasn't as crazy about on the album, were so good. I have a new appreciation for the album now. The second half of the show they played older songs and an amazing cover of Heart's "Crazy On You"!

The opening band, The Heartless Bastards, played an array of songs that all sounded exactly the same and were increasingly irritating. The music that played during each interlude was embarrassing and maddening, the Irish crooning driving those around the speakers steadily insane. The Decemberists more than made up for the faults of the set-up. Even though the audience was all standing which, at times, caused extreme discomfort, the band made every unsatisfactory moment worthwhile. They were better live than on album and Colin Meloy proved to be quite the entertainer, commenting on how gorgeous we all were and explaining the origins of Lake Michigan. Those who came to the event walked away with inside jokes and fond memories as well as a newfound love and appreciation for the band and the name "Matt". The atmosphere that was left behind in the Kool Haus was very friendly and certainly urged those who attended the concert to return in the future. Some recommendations to better the event would simply be to ditch the Lord of the Rings style music in the interludes, consider shorter opening band times and if possible set up seating closer to the stage so that those who did not wish to forfeit the use of their feet for the next week could also see the band. Fans of The Decemberists are sure to return the next time the band is in the area.

This was a great show with Audience involvement and lots of Energy!!! Only ever heard a few songs before but I bought the tickets as a gift and it was definitly a memorable experience!!! Saved the best for last and the Encore was long too!!! Well worth the ticket price longest concert ever!!!

They played their new album in its entirety but I don't really like their new album, it's weird. I wanted to hear more of their hits, especially from Picaresque. They didn't play "Engine Driver", "Los Angeles I'm yours", "Sixteen Military Wives", "Red Right Ankle", "Valerie Plame". When they finally played "The sporting life" everyone loved it! I just wanted more of that.

The band played the entire new album, the Hazards of Love, then after a break came back with a set of old popular tunes from previous albums. They topped it off with a 4-5 song encore including an incredible cover of Crazy On You.

The Decemberists live is more like going to a musical, or an orchestra, instead of a concert. They played The Hazards of Love from start to finish without taking so much as a breath. The ambiance, the story, the technical expertise of the musicians, the wide variation of instruments used, and the talent of all the vocalists was phenomenal. Being a foot away from Colin Meloy the entire show was also pretty awesome - thank-you Kool Haus for being so small.

Regardless if you're familiar with their music or not, grab tickets to see these guys if you get the chance! They put on a spectacular show!