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SUFJAN STEVENS IN CONCERT:
For the past 15 years, indie folk hero Sufjan Stevens has been an emblem of genre-busting creativity and perpetual sonic reinvention. As his palette has shifted over the years Stevens' painstakingly crafted songs have remained as ambitious ever, employing an ever-growing arsenal of human voices, classical instruments, and electronic textures to achieve epic, spiritual proportions. It's powerful stuff on record, but it takes on entirely new proportions at his wacky, wonderful live shows. Stevens is a creative visionary on multiple fronts, and his awe-inspiring concerts combine state-of-the-art stage design, outré costumes, extensive audience participation, and a talented backing band that often approaches double digits. Whether he's leading the band through soaring tunes like "Chicago" or returning to the stage with a banjo for a solo encore of the heartrending "Romulus", Stevens always takes ticket buyers on a wild, life-affirming ride.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
Detroit-born Sufjan Stevens grew up playing a variety of instruments including piano, oboe, and English horn. After attending high school at Michigan's prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy he attended Hope College, where he learned the guitar and banjo. Post-college Stevens cut his teeth in the folk rock band Marzuki, which he left to release 2000's A Sun Came, his debut solo album that impressed critics with a far-flung range of influences that included Indian, Celtic, Middle Eastern, and American folk music. His 2001 sophomore effort Enjoy Your Rabbit was also well-received, but it was 2003's Michigan, an expansive love letter to the state where he spent his formative years, that really landed him on the national stage. The record was a critical smash, topping year-end lists and drawing him out for extensive touring that introduced fans to his outsized live show. He paid tribute to the stars and stripes once again in 2005 with Chicago, a sparkling concept album that peaked at No. 1 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart and was named the best album of the year by NPR, Amazon, and Pitchfork Media. Following a foray into electronica on 2010's The Age of Adz LP, Stevens returned to his folk and Americana roots for 2015's Carrie & Lowell. A renowned performer known for his infinitely creative live shows, Stevens continues to inspire and entertain every time he takes the stage on tour.
The Sufjan concert at Music Hall of Williamsburg (10.7) was incredible. His musical range is so wide and diverse and he seamlessly spans musical genres between songs. He's an incredible talent who elevates his music to a new level of energy and intensity when performing onstage. I loved the whole show!
Sufjan was great. Now that that is out of the way we can talk about how god awful the first band was. It made me so uncomfortable to watch them that I considered leaving. The lead singer was dancing around the stage with moves borrowed from Elaine Benes of Seinfeld. Beyond that, the music was really really rough. Transitions didnt make sense, the guitar felt like it was boring into my skull and the vocalist only added to the massive high school talent show headache I developed before they left the stage. This band completely ruined the show for me, feel free to condemn me for that.
so good. this show was much more raw than the others i've seen which made the music and the artists seem much more approachable than usual.
He was just so much better live than I had even hoped he would be. He was accompanied by between 6 and 10 people depending on the song, often with a 4 piece horn section (trombone, trumpet, french horn, and alto saxophone). Easily one of the best live acts I've ever seen. I love Sufjan.
Tuesday's show was the first time I'd been able to see Sufjan live after trying to for years. He didn't disappoint as he played many of my favorite songs, yet I'm not entirely sure what to think of his new songs. The songs transition from noise-rock to jam band and back again over the course of about 7-10 minutes. I'll have to give them another listen when they're released. It seemed that the band was having issues with MHW's sound/light setup as there were a lot of long stares into the sound booth and numerous requests to keep the stage brighter. One annoyance: the doors to the venue opened at 7:30 which, in the past, usually meant that the first act goes on at 8 or 8:30. Cryptacize didn't go on until about 9:15.
Should have been a sit-down show. Left about 2 hours in...no energy. Self indulgent at best...
the crowd was friendly and had wonderful energy that you could see sufjan appreciated. absolutely incredible show! left speechless
He played a lot of new material that had an electro-pop vibe, and it was really good - I'm now excited for a new album. He played a lot of the favorites from Illinois and Seven Swans, minus a few that I had hoped for (no Decatur, Predatory Wasp, or my absolute fav, Sister Winter). The horn players were tremendous and the harmonies were gorgeous. Sufjan was fairly shy, but played for a while, about 1 hour and 45 minutes. If you haven't seen him live yet, try to catch him in an intimate venue - Bowery Ballroom was perfect.
One of the greatest things about Sufjan Stevens is how unique his music is. It has so many layers to it, that you can appreciate when listening to his albums but they truly shine when you see them performed live. Most bands have the vocals as their star, but for Sufjan, his vocals only compliment everything that is going on. The band is so multi talented with almost all of the members changing instruments for each song. Sufjan himself didn't talk to the audience a whole lot but when he did his very dry humor was refreshing and funny. I LOVED the show and I would go see him again in a heartbeat.
I've loved Sufjan for many years now--and this was the first time seeing him in concert. His at times 9 piece band forms a melodic symphony that is definitely like no other. His voice just as beautiful and calm as it is on his albums--and the live twists to his songs make it seem like I'm hearing the songs for the first time again. Excellent show---in my top 10 of all shows I've been to.
Amazing. I cannot believe how good the entire band was. The songs were incredible. The venue (Bowery Ballroom) had great sound. The music was magical.
Overall good show, but the new stuff was kinda crappy. I think the crowd really felt the same way too. It wouldn't have been so bad if the new stuff wasn't 1/3 of the entire show. Sufjan and his band did a great job with everything else, I must say.
the band sounded great and sujan is an amazing conductor. his new songs are right on par where music seems to be headed. but the old stuff still sounds great.
