Hooves on the Turf

Sufjan Stevens at the Town Hall – pics, live mp3

For this tour Sufjan has given himself to the spirit of the Majestic Songbird, and his remarkable crew he should feel blessed to have, and I’m sure he does, is his Butterfly Brigade. This show was a delicious slice of what Sufjan seems best at offering: a synergy of storytelling, musicianship, and performance. In order to qualify, storytelling must involve a predatory wasp, musicianship must involve mastery over a mini orchestra, and performance must involve wings, masks, and Superman balloons and Santa Claus balloons flying out of the stage into the audience, depending on whether you’re singing about the Metropolis or the worst Christmas ever.

All pictures after the jump.

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Clap Your Hands Say Yeah at Central Park – pics

Alec Ounsworth

Lee Sargent

Alec Ounsworth

Robbie Guertin

Alec Ounsworth

Robbie Guertin

Robbie Guertin

Alec Ounsworth

Sean Greenhalgh

Alec Ounsworth

Tyler Sargent

Alec Ounsworth

Architecture in Helsinki at Central Park – pics

The Australian group has been touring with Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. The only thing missed was a fuller horn section (trio) that was present at the last New York show at the Avalon. Tonight Gus Franklin held the fort with a trombone.

Cameron Bird said he lived above a laundromat in New York City this summer, which resulted in a song they played tonight that was inspired by the heat.

Sam Perry

Sam Perry and Cameron Bird
Kellie Sutherland

Kellie Sutherland

Jamie Mildren and Kellie Sutherland

Kellie Sutherland

James Cecil and Jamie Mildren

Gus Franklin

Gus Franklin

Cameron Bird

Regina Spektor at the Town Hall – pics

From what I could discern Regina said playing the Town Hall made her feel like a professional (if it makes a difference, Elijah Wood was there to see it as well). Her band joined her half way through the set, for what I believe was the first time. I saw her last at Warsaw in Williamsburg, where she’d performed songs from her new album, Begin to Hope, solo. To me these solo versions are far more beautiful, but the band (a guitarist, a bassist, and a drummer) does give her a chance to “rock out” with Your Honor, also for what I believe was the first time. Before they played it she said she was scared for what was to happen (and, of course, giggled through all the fun switches to her solo parts).

Her shows tend to have a treat not captured in recordings, so I just hope she continues to play smaller venues where shows are best enjoyed and the tickets are cheaper.

DeVotchKa at South Street Seaport – pics

Colorado-based quartet DeVotchKa, who recently made some wonderful contributions to the Little Miss Sunshine soundtrack, are in New York City this weekend as part of the Absinthe variety show. They played a fabulous set at midnight last night, and will play their second date at midnight tonight.

Jeanie Schroder

Tom Hagerman

Nick Urata and Jeanie Schroder

Shawn King

Nick Urata

Shawn King

Tom Hagerman

Jeanie Schroder

Shawn King

Nick Urata

Jeanie Schroder

Alex, a dancer at the show, performs with DeVotchKa

Tom Hagerman