To sum up Tuesday night's Devendra Banhart show at 6th & I Synagogue I would like to describe the singular moment in which after the show Cale and I turned to each other and simultaneously said :
"The person that did not like this, doesn't like music. Or probably even life".
And lets face it, we're two cynical as fuck, jaded hipsters (even if we hate to admit it) and yet there we were spilling "new-agey-all-is-wonderful" goo all over each other and anyone who would listen. (the cheese is, in fact, melting off the screen as I type this)
This is how it went:
A band opened. They're called Matthea Baim and Devendra loves them. LOVES THEM. He even told us so himself. We were not all that hot on them, but tastes are tastes, and that girl that only meditated throughout the whole set (a capella Doors cover aside) was at least entertaining to look at.
Not too waste too much type on them because I need every word I have to explain to you just how AMAZING the actual headlining (aka Devendra+band) show was.
It was so amazing that everything seemed more beautiful when we left the building.
It was so amazing that the fully seated (600 tickets sold) Synagogue ended up in rapt dancing by the stage at the first chords of Samba Vexillographica.
You hear that?
People in DC don't dance at shows where they're supposed to dance, but here at a venue where you're supposed to sit quietly (so as "not to obscure lines of vision") THEY ALL DANCED. With abandon.
It was so amazing that Becca, Haley and I had a (only semi-joking) argument this morning over who would win in a fight for Devendra's heart. (no one is yet willing to admit to defeat)
The music was so mind numbingly beautiful, all Caetano Veloso laced and Brian-Wilson-at-his-best tinged (Cale may or may not have shed a tear during "Seahorse"), the band (with their very specific sit-down, stand-up stage presence) was on point and as soaring or as intimate as each song required and the venue, which I highly recommend to anyone, was as one.
It was so amazing they completely disregarded the 11 pm curfew, made everyone chicken dance, invited a kid from the audience to sing on stage (a song he had written himself, involving something about sending transmissions of love...I don't remember, I was completely delirious with joy at that point)
and
shook the maracas better than any maracas every dreamt of being shaken.
In fact, it was so amazing, we received thank you notes from people today for "letting them know about the show on the site".
How often does that happen?
MmmmmHmmm.
Exactly.
So, remember this:
Devendra is God, for all I care, and if you know what is good for you you will buy "Smokey rolls down thunder canyon" and all his previous records and listen to them till you realize just how wonderful it is. Which, really, shouldn't take that long.
And cross your fingers he's back soon.
And often.
want more:
befriend devendra on myspace:http://www.myspace.com/devendrabanhart
or just
also: keep your eyes peeled for the next LiveNation/BYT presents affair at the Synagogue: MuM on Novemebr 7th
Previously in Live DC:
- 2/9: LiveDC: Theophilus London @ 930 Club
- 2/9: Best Weekend Bets
- 2/8: LiveDC: Kathleen Edwards @ 930 Club
- 2/8: LiveDC: Thurston Moore/ Kurt Vile @ Black Cat
- 2/8: LiveDC: Thurston Moore/ Kurt Vile @ Black Cat
- 2/7: LiveDC: Demetri Martin @ Warner Theatre
- 2/7: LiveDC: Augustana/ Graffiti6 @ 930 Club
- 2/6: LiveDC: All Things Go Presents: Reptar/ Casual Curious/ Fort Lean @ Gibson Guitar Showroom
- 2/6: LiveDC: TYCHO/ Beacon @ RNR Hotel
- 2/6: LiveDC: The Kills / Jeff The Brotherhood @ 9:30 Club
God loves a cheerful giver.
"we’re two cynical as fuck, jaded hipsters" - yyyyaaaawwwnnnn. i think what you meant to say is that youre TRYING to be two cynical as fuck, jaded hipsters. nerds.
we love you too mike.
Four words, Svet: Antony and the Johnsons
with all due respect to Antony (whom I love), I seriously doubt he would have been this engaging live.
I actually seriously doubt anyone would have been.
During "A Sight To Behold" I pretty much lost it. Devendra stood center stage under the giant glowing Star of David and my vision began to blur, the rest of the band and the crowd disappearing into the fuzz. It was just me and Devendra, and we were at one with the universe.
You aren't cynical, you still write a column about where people can see people who were on the tee vee.
I'm cynical.
But I am definitely not a hipster.
i love you too michael.
I totally won…
that was me on stage!!! devendra was so wonderful and humble. you can see it in his eyes that he loves what he does and that he is grateful for all of his fans. if you werent there you really really missed out
truely a spiritual experience of some sort...the most mindblowing and connected performance i've witnessed in quite some time. a wicked thank you to BYT for spotlighting the greatness that is Devendra and crew. Oh, and tommy....you're the luckiest bastard in the world.
"with all due respect to Antony (whom I love), I seriously doubt he would have been this engaging live. I actually seriously doubt anyone would have been."
i have one word: beirut (aka zach condon)
both npr and pitchfork recorded their shows at the masonic temple in brooklyn and the delacorte theater in central park these last two weeks. (sorry to be too lazy to find the links.)
brilliant. and no disrespect to devendra. but.....
I really can't fucking believe you guys are hippie music name dropping.
This is rich.
thank you all who came! this was our first show at the synagogue and i cannot thank everyone for making it such a success. we will hopefully continue to book more shows at the synagogue and DO NOT FORGET: MUM (FROM ICELAND, ON FAT CAT RECORDS) AT SYNAGOGUE ON 11/7 AND STELLASTARR* WITH PELA / EXIT CLOV AT SYNAGOGUE ON SAT 10/13 AS PART OF THE DAM! FEST. TIX FREE OF SERVICE CHARGES IF YOU BUY DIRECTLY AT SYNAGOGUE BOX OFFICE. XO Stacie George
dear michael,
hippie music name dropping? your beloved gogol bardello are considered to be (essentially) the same genre as beirut (although beirut are significantly more talented musicians....). granted, they don't run around the stage/venue like crazy people. and yes, the overall viewing experience is significantly different. but...
devendra and antony are hippies.
(hehe)
p.s. i wish i were rich.
does anyone know if this show was recorded? a lady after the show told me it was but i gave her the wrong email address. please let me know!!!
p.s.
lets not name drop or argue
Everyone be sure to thank their favorite corporate sponsor for "hippie" shows, LiveNation. thank you LiveNation for keeping the DIY ethic alive!
for the record:
A good show is a good show.
AN AMAZING SHOW IS AN AMAZING SHOW.
I don't care who brings it, who throws it, whether its DIY or not...and this was AN AMAZING SHOW.