The set proper was 60 minutes, followed by a 30 minute encore. With no actual backstage, the band members simply shifted to stage left for a few moments before returning with Eleanor on drums and Matt on lead vocals for a sparse and touching rendition of Bitter Tea's "I'm Waiting to Know You." The show ended, rather abruptly, with "Don't Dance Her Down" - the stage lights flashed and the band shrugged, recognizing its time was up.
It was an exhilarating, bewildering concert experience, with no undue flash or glitz needed from the band. The venue, which has just recently entered the fray of indie booking, seemed well-suited to serving the needs of its clientele, with a spacious balcony, video projections of the stage back near the bar, and a high enough stage for the fans in the front. It may be too soon to tell, but the Old Rock House looks to be legitimate competition to venues like the Firebird and Off Broadway. As long as they keep hosting excellent shows like Saturday's Fiery Furnaces concert, I see no reason not to come back.
Rub-Alcohol Blues Charmaine Champagne Duplexes of the Dead Automatic Husband Ex-Guru Chris Michaels The End Is Near Keep Me In the Dark Up in the North Drive to Dallas Evergreen Crystal Clear Oh Sweet Woods > Chief Inspector Blancheflower Cut the Cake Ray Bouvier Worry Worry
ENCORE:
I'm Waiting to Know You I'm In No Mood (with A Candymaker's Knife in my Handbag included?) Two Fat Feet Asthma Attack Japanese Slippers Don't Dance Her Down
