Liberty Hall - Lawrence, KS - 11/4/07
The New Pornos were one of my most anticipated acts at this summer's Pitchfork Music Fest. That anticipation built over the course of the festival, as the Pornos were the last band we planned on seeing that final night (sorry De La Soul). Although the Pornos fulfilled my expectations for honey-harmony pop, something was missing. Two things, actually: Neko Case and Dan Bejar. Needless to say, I was overjoyed to learn that the two would be along for the band's fall tour.
The Pornos didn't stray far from that July setlist, though I didn't mind hearing "Jackie Dressed in Cobras" and "Mass Romantic" sung by their proper vocalists (surprisingly AC Newman pulls off an impressive Bejar-esque performance -- he did write the song). Highlights from the Lawrence show included "Letter from an Occupant," "The Spirit of Giving," "Testament to Youth and Verse," "Sing Me Spanish Techno," and one of the year's best songs, "Myriad Harbor." Anything sung by Bejar (aka Destroyer) instantly revved the crowd; he adds a wacky energy far beyond the band's typical power-pop frenetics. Bejar kept up the mystique throughout the night by entering stage right for his vocals, leaving, materializing briefly stage left, then disappearing until his next song -- perhaps emulating his spotty appearances on Pornos albums?
Catch the Pornos' final show of the tour tonight at Denver's Gothic Theatre.
From last night's show: The Pornos perform "Jackie" from their debut Mass Romantic (via your own Range Life staff):
Emma Pollock (w/ Immaculate Machines'/NP's Kathryn Calder):
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New Pornos:
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3 comments:
It was a good show and I'm really happy that Neko and Dan were there. I had never been to one of their shows before so it's nice that I wasn't missing out on anything.
Amen. I like Kathryn Calder and all, but there's no replacing Neko Case... Dan Bejar, for me, made the show.
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