July 07, 2006
In A Town So Small, There's Nothing Left To Do
I may be missing Fiona Apple in Texas tonight, but finally getting to see Belle & Sebastian is helping to ease the pain. They played at the Hollywood Bowl last night, backed by the entire Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. The concert was sold out, but thanks to longtime reader/commenter/fellow screenwriter Bryan, I got a last minute ticket. All symphonic grandeur aside, it was probably the most entertaining concert I've ever been to. I sometimes get caught up in looking for some sort of transcendent, rarified element in music - my idea of a great show is one that approximates a religious experience - and so it was unexpectedly refreshing to see Stuart Murdoch & company go out of their way to deliver an evening of completely unportentous, beautifully exuberant music. Even the sad songs were joyful.
It was also the most sustained show I've ever been to. They played for a solid two and a half hours, beginning with I Fought In A War and ending with The Boy With The Arab Strap, continuing on even after the orchestra had retired. During the closing number, the crowd ignored security, barged the stage and started dancing; it was a pretty wonderful moment, particularly because it would be impossible to argue that the band didn't encourage it.
I finally got a car yesterday morning, and have settled into a bit of a groove out here. Curtis and Valerie flew in from Fort Worth the other day, partially to hang out and mainly (so they claim, and I don't blame them) to see Lavendar Diamond, that chanteuse who so enchanted us in Austin last March, perform one last show before embarking on a long European tour. More joy! I think we've all had her four-song EP on constant repeat these past few months. I haven't actually written the ending to my latest script yet, but I think I want Rise In The Springtime to play during it.
When your friends come to visit you in a new city, you're pretty much forced to stop feeling like a visitor yourself.
Posted by David Lowery at July 7, 2006 04:41 AM
Comments
I just sent you a message inviting you to a party in Dallas. But now I read that you're in LA, so disregard.
Posted by: Adan at July 8, 2006 08:03 AM