Go to content Go to navigation Go to search
The Big Takeover > reviews

Belle and Sebastian with The New Pornographers - Nokia Theater (New York) - Friday, March 3, 2006

by Matthew Berlyant
31 March 2006

Belle and Sebastian @ Nokia Theater March 3, 2006

Supporting their new album The Life Pursuit, BELLE AND SEBASTIAN played the second of two sold-out nights at the new Nokia Theater. They proved that their previous reputation as a shambling, inconsistent and awkward live band is well in the past and out of date. Instead, much like when I caught them last October as part of the Across the Narrows festival at Keyspan Park in Coney Island, they delivered a tight, enjoyable and smooth set focusing on songs from the new album but covering a substantial portion of their back catalog as well.

Aside from the new songs, like the T REX-ish “The Blues are Still Blue,” “White Collar Boy,” “Act of the Apostle” and UK single “Funny Little Frog,” the highlights were a rousing version of the B-side “Your Cover’s Blown,” an acoustic version of “Piazza, New York Catcher” featuring just principal singer/songwriter STUART MURDOCH and guitarists STEVIE JACKSON (who also sang the new album’s “To Be Myself Completely” and “The Wrong Girl,” the best song from Folds Your Hands Child, You Look Like a Peasant) and BOBBY KILDEA, as well as the first song of the encore, the beautiful and lilting “Judy and the Dream of Horses.”

During “Piazza, New York Catcher,” I heard a few guys to the right of me commenting (loudly and rudely) about how Stuart knows nothing about baseball (the song references former New York Mets catcher MIKE PIAZZA and alludes to former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher SANDY KOUFAX as well in one line). Of course, nothing could be further from the truth, since Stuart is a huge baseball fan. And since he likes the Mets, we know that he has good taste.

Unfortunately, this would not be the first time that certain audience members bothered me throughout the evening. In fact, I don’t remember the last time I encountered audience behavior so rude at a show. Aside from an annoying couple who were bumping and grinding the whole night (get a room) and taking pictures of each other (not the band, each other!) the entire night with their friends’ help, the biggest annoyance came during “Judy and the Dream of Horses.”

A couple of idiot frat boys dressed up in hipster clothes were screaming the lyrics in the quiet section right in my ear. They’d been at it for about half of the night, so finally I said something to them and eventually they shut up. Seriously, I tried to tune them out, but I finally had to say something. They almost ruined the show for me, but Belle and Sebastian’s performance, taking advantage of the crystal-clear sound at the Nokia Theater, was so strong that it ultimately made it worthwhile.

Seeing THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS as an opener was a bit weird, since they headlined the two previous times I’d seen them. Nevertheless, despite missing the services of DAN BEJAR (currently touring with his band DESTROYER) and NEKO CASE (currently touring for her new solo album Fox Confessor Brings the Flood), they played a riveting hour-long set that encompassed material from all three of their studio albums, including last year’s excellent Twin Cinema.

Just like when they played Prospect Park Bandshell last June without Neko and Dan, keyboardist KATHRYN CALDER filled in for Neko on harmonies and on lead vocals on “Letter from an Occupant,” “Mass Romantic” and “Bones of an Idol.” Singer/songwriter/leader CARL NEWMAN not only sang his own songs, but Bejar’s as well, including “A Testament to Youth in Verse” and “Jackie Dressed in Cobras” (with help from drummer KURT DAHLE). And much to my delight, they all sounded fine, though something was still missing.

Regarding the absent Bejar and Case, I honestly don’t understand why they don’t just all tour together. That triple bill could also fill two nights at Nokia, without Belle and Sebastian or another more popular headliner, and all the members would be there to sing and play their parts. It would be like last fall’s show at the TLA in Philadelphia where Destroyer and Calder’s other band, IMMACULATE MACHINE, opened up for The New Pornographers.

Nevertheless, my complaints with the audience aside, this was a fantastic double bill at a great new venue.

The above photo is from the flickr account of someone cleverly named Vegan in Furs

Filed under

Comments

I’m still upset that I missed this show when it played Philly—I hestitated one day too long to order tickets—sold out!!
I know what you mean about a rude audience spoiling your enjoyment of the music. There are certain shows and venues that I will avoid for that very reason. It does surprise me that it happened to you at this show—I would have expected a more mature and knowledgable audience for B & S / New Porn.
I saw that Philly show you referenced, and it does make sense to share the bill with New Pornographers/Neko Case/Destroyer/Immaculate Machine—I’ll buy that ticket tomorrow! However, it seemed to me that Bejar was a little aloof and acted as if he really didn’t want to be there. During the Destroyer set, he played with his head down most of the time and even did a short guitar solo with his back turned. He would only come onto stage with the New Pornographers when they called him on to help sing his own songs, and then usually in a disheveled manner with a drink in his hand.
Don’t let that performance put you off from his recorded music. I was curious enough after that show to pick up Streethawk: A Seduction and explore further. It’s very good. And the new one, Destroyer’s Rubies, is brilliant. It gets better with each listen, as all good music seems to do.


— Mike Clarke    2006-04-01 12:07    #

I can verify Matt’s claims about the audience, as I was standing next to him during the show (though I didn’t really notice the hipster dudes until the end). In fact, the picture-taking couple actually asked me to take one snapshot of them, and I happily obliged, before I realized how drunk/annoying they were going to be throughout the show!

I’ve commented before about Nokia’s fantastic sound system, which really benefitted both bands (especially B&S, you could hear every instrument and vocal perfectly!). Now if only they could get a better beer selection!


— Mark    2006-04-01 13:17    #

Mark, you can be thankful that you didn’t stand directly next to those 2 a-holes at any point during the show. They literally SCREAMED the lyrics to the intro/first verse of “Judy and the Dream of Horses” directly into my ear when I was trying to, you know, listen to the band, so I turned to one of them after that and said “I didn’t pay to hear you sing”. Of course they immediately apologized and proclaimed at how enthusiastic they were about seeing Belle and Sebastian (yeah you two and the rest of the crowd, too), but that still didn’t excuse their lack of judgment and rudeness in this case.

And Mike, I think you’re right on about Bejar not wanting to be there at the TLA last October. I’ve heard lots of great things about Rubies and I’ll eventually check it out, but I’m hard pressed to give someone like Bejar the time of day (outside of The New Pornographers) when his attitude annoys me so much. What happened to artists who actually like to play and don’t let their egos get in the way of said enthusiasm (just my theory)? It seems like Bejar is contemptuous of his audience and I just don’t get where he gets off on that. Why should I pay to hear someone insult me with his attitude and lack of enthusiasm?


— Matthew Berlyant    2006-04-02 05:24    #

Mike’s right. “Rubies” is really quite good, and it’s in my car right now. I’ll leave it in there so you can hear it this weekend. On the other hand, I could understand if Bejar was feeling a little slighted…as typified by the 2 guys who tried to push in front of me to get closer to Neko Case. He’s like their 3rd banana, and when you’re a talented musician on your own…maybe his response is to be a little stand-offish.


— Anne    2006-04-04 13:14    #

That’s understandable. In that case, though, he shouldn’t be there at all. At the show I reviewed above, they managed to pull off the Bejar songs with just Carl and Kurt singing. Then again, it was cool to see Bejar up there last October, but I still think that Destroyer were awful. It’s really sad when a musician clearly doesn’t wanna be there.


— Matthew Berlyant    2006-04-04 13:24    #