Article and Photos by: Bob Linneman

Philadelphia, PA — Julien Baker opened the evening at The Fillmore with a very hypnotic performance using just a single Fender and looping pedal board. In a very minimalist performance Julien’s vocals quickly quieted the sold-out crowd as the they hung on every note. The Decemberists took the stage opening with The Crane parts 1,2, and 3 preparing the crowd for a melodic evening with many twisted tales harking back to another time.  The performance was a well needed break from the rat race surrounding the venue.  In celebration of the Philadelphia weather finally breaking, Colin Meloy announced in mid set “Springtime in Fishtown, how wistful!”

Fans were not disappointed as the band covered classics like “Red Right Ankle, Everything is Awful” (with energetic crowd participation), and “Valencia.”  The Decemberists, from Portland, Oregon, consists of Colin Meloy (lead vocals, guitar, principal songwriter), Chris Funk (guitar, multi-instrumentalist), Jenny Conlee (keyboards, piano, Hammond organ, accordion), Nate Query (bass), and John Moen (drums). They are currently on tour supporting What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World During, which continues through August 2017 ending in their home state.