The Decemberists

After arriving during the first song to a surprisingly sold out and very crowded gig we managed to get a good spot with a couple of cans of Red Stripe and where tiny little me couldn't see as usual (You get used to judging a gig on sounds rather than what they look like on stage). The most surprising thing of all though was the silence. The crowd were either shocked stunned or possibly just in admiration. The Decemberists gave it their all on stage and even got some audience participation going during a brilliant rendition of "16 Military Wives" but the audience remained respectful and quiet in what felt like awe during most of the set.

Laughing politely at the Americans jokes the audience only sang loudly when prompted and even more shockingly I even heard a loud "Sssshhhhhhhh!" from behind when someone dropped a bottle. Although this was the case, the band picked up on it and continued to play a blinding though subdued set and came back quickly to play an encore.

They didn't play "Shiny" though and I know I wasn't the only one who missed it.