[...music...]: the weakerthans @ le national

2007-11-03

jenn grant was the opening act. mostly folksy-type stuff, mixed with other things. it was alright, but not what i usually listen to.

i must admit, i don't find the weakerthans particularly amazing live. in fact, i find their live set a bit predictable, in the sense that they play the songs almost exactly like on disc. but i love their songs so much. their music is pretty straightforward, with no surprises. i guess that's what i like about them; there's no pretension, they are not trying to be anything more than they are. and the lyrics are so witty and clever; every song is a mini-story.

although they are not the best live band, i still try to see their show whenever they come to montreal.

my memory gets worst... i think they played these songs, grouped by album.

from "left and leaving":
- aside (my favourite song of theirs)
- left and leaving

from "reconstruction site":
- the reasons
- reconstruction site
- our retired explorer
- time's arrow

from "reunion tour":
- civil twilight
- relative surplus value
- tournament of hearts
- sun in an empty room
- night windows

they ended their proper set with "plea from a cat named virtute", with kind of a messy noise at the outro.

the singer came back for an encore, starting with a solo performance of "one great city!" and "my favourite chords", which was predictable; i think they did the same the last time i saw them, some years ago. then, the full band returned for the remaining songs. "confessions of a futon-revolutionist", that i did not recognize at the time, but found out after going through the "fallow" album at home just now. then, there was "pamphleteer" and "virtute the cat explains her departure" (i love that the cat returns on the new album).

the second encore began with a cover song. it sounded familiar, but i didn't know what it was. (some googling tells me it was replacements' "swinging party"). then, they played "watermark" (another favourite of mine).

i think this is the first time i see this; they came back for a third encore. but they kept it short: just one song, "everything must go!". it was a great way to end the night.

~~~

Labels: jenn grant, le national, shows, the weakerthans

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