April 22, 2008
Rilo Kiley
NY2LON Live Reviewby Lauren from the Bermuda Triangle
Rilo Kiley. It has been years indeed since I've last seen you. And, despite what people say, you have not changed! Not negatively, anyway.
Michael Runion, boy superstar and my favorite LA local, opened up the Rilo Kiley show by addressing the fact that the ads for the show all said 8 pm, when really, the show started at 7:30. "It's hard to feel anything when it's light outside," he complained, in an endearing way. I've never seen Runion with a full band, but he had one, a five piece backing band that he seemed to really like. He even got to put his guitar down, wrap the microphone cord around his self and croon for a few songs, when Whispertown's Tod picked up the electric. Michael Runion explained to the crowd that over thanksgiving, he had learned that his last name is Irish, even though he is Mexican: "I'd like to thank us, we built this state, and I'd like to thank the Europeans for stealing it." Michael pleased me, although he didn't play my favorite, "Don't Let Her Hold You."
Whispertown 2000, yet another lovely LA band, was more what the crowd was looking for: two attractive, short-dress wearing women (Jenny's friend Morgan and Vanessa), a cute boy (Tod), and a mustachioed character (a fellow who replaced old W200 member Colt). They kicked off their set with "103," a song about my favorite topic, aging! The four musicians switched off instruments, which really impressed me. Whispertown even played some new material. The band ended with their signature jamboree style finale; all of Runions band returned to the stage, (except Runion who was very late for the jam session) picked up instruments, and rocked out. The guitar player from Runion's band plucked the bass strings, while Whispertown's bassist fretted the notes: it was too cool to believe. Runion finally made it back to the stage to play the acoustic guitar and jam out for a while before the set ended.
Rilo Kiley, the band that everyone was waiting for, came out at a respectable hour - 9:25. Jenny Lewis, front woman, child star, solo star, all purpose ginger!, looked smaller than the last time I'd seen her, and everyone was swooning as soon as she stepped on stage. The band all had silver, black and white outfits on; they are an impeccably dressed band, but I would expect nothing less from Los Angeles darlings. I believe I saw Orenda Fink, one of my other favorite artists, playing with Rilo Kiley (trumpet, tambourine, keys). The lighting was brilliant - someone did a great job managing strobes, black lights, blue lights, red lights. The band kicked off the set with three songs from their newest album, Under the Blacklight, "Close Call," "Moneymaker," and "Dreamworld," which sounded so much like a smooth 70's song that I couldn't stop smiling.
"Capturing Moods," from Executions of all Things, was messed up by Miss Jenny, but noone would have noticed if she hadn't stopped to apologize, which was adorable, as usual; one of the best sing along moments came during this song, when hundreds of people sang/screamed, "you could sell your baseball cards just to pay your rent." At that moment all I could think was, 'I've never owned baseball cards, nobody I know has ever owned them either.' The lighting guy, whoever he is, produced my favorite moment of show: during the emotional high point of "Does He Love You" the stage was completely drenched in red light as Lewis sang, "your husband will never leave you for me" – it reminded me of how good of an actress she probably is, she can capture every range of emotion in the songs she sings.
Blake had an important announcement, he had to introduce his new guitar that he had driven all the way from LA to SF to retrieve from a craigslist ad in a bar. Can you imagine selling your guitar online only to find out it was for Blake Sennett, former child star, current rock star? He then went straight into "Ripchord," from More Adventurous. So many sing along moments during this set. "Absence of God," and "With Arms Outstretched," were just two of the many songs that had the crowd hot and bothered and singing like mad.
I love balloons! I am putting that out there as a pretext to my next statement - I love balloons filled with glitter. Needless to say, Rilo Kiley had balloons filled with glitter and it made my freakin' night. I texted my friend during the balloon song, "Silver Lining," that 'these balloons are floating and fucking huge...I want to marry one...and live happy with glitter latex children." One balloon even made it to the end of the song with out it's glittery insides being torn apart. However, an even luckier balloon got popped just as Jenny Lewis ended, "I never felt so wicked, as when I willed our love to die (POP)." She smiled at the balloon. The band "ended" with "I Never," a song that holds precious memories for me - I was there the first time it was performed live - complete with an epic Blake guitar solo. Now it's a sure fire sign that the show ain't over if the band leaves something running, and sure enough Rilo came out to perform a few more songs, including "Picture of Success," and "Portions for Foxes," which made the crowd completely nuts. I think Rilo Kiley is just a band that people can go nuts for...I was proved right when my friend Jen got a water bottle from the stage, and proceeded to yell "This is JENNY'S WATER!!," and pour some on my head. I guess she thought it was a sort of holy blessing - maybe everyone at that show would agree with her.
Posted by ny2lon at April 22, 2008 03:41 PM
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