His music is genuine, almost to a fault. It sounds, to me, like coffeehouse music. I don’t mean that dismissively at all. He is a talented singer/songwriter and his performance was intense and evocative. The world seems so much more romantic in his universe. It just wasn't a whole lot of fun and that makes the pairing with Guster more than a little odd.
And it showed during the performance. It's not that Guster fans were rude to LaMontagne, but I am not sure they knew what to make of it. There were a handful of people in the audience who turned out to sit and watch LaMontagne but most of the crowd came to party with Guster and the between-song catcalls were embarrassing.
Repeatedly, fans called out for him to play "Trouble" as if he was going to skip the title track from his only released album. At one point, I saw him whispering to his bandmates and even though I did want to hear the song, I was privately hoping he was telling them to skip it – or perhaps telling them he wanted to play it now and shut everyone up. He maintained his composure and worked his way through the set, occasionally mumbling a word of thanks to the crowd.
And yes, he played "Trouble."
Guster Setlist:
- Careful
- Barrel of a Gun
- Ramona
- Satellite
- New Underground
- Come Downstairs and Say Hello
- Manifest Destiny
- Long Way Down
- Airport Song
- Ruby Falls
- Captain
- Center of Attention
- Hang On
- Amsterdam
- [Happy Birthday to drummer Brian "The Thundergod" Rosenworcel]
- Happier
- Lightning Rod
- C'mon
- I Spy
- Jesus on the Radio
Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
you are now one of those kids i saw in the Guster On Ice video who had given themselves up to the music in the moment.
pretty cool stuff.
2 - Mat Brewster
Confessions of a Guster Fanboy <--new title for your recurring thingy
very cool stuff Sir DJ. I guess I really have to go out and listen to me some Guster so you'll shut up about them already. Your're getting to be as bad as Saleski and freaking Metheny.
Ok, enough smirkiness. This was a darn fine review. One of your best.
3 - Aaron Fleming
I too must track down some Guster, see what the big fuss is all about.
Oh and who is this Murphy guy? It's not the guy from the class action suit advert in the BC sponsors righthand column is it?
And great review BTW.
4 - Mary K. Williams
I'm guessing Murphy, as in Murphy's Law
Very good work Sir DJ.
5 - DJRadiohead
The Wife to Whom I'm Married had never heard of Murphy's Law. Here I was thinking I was being obvious. That's what happens when I try and go literary. I better stick with flinging the fucks.
Thanks, Mondoites, for checking out the review.
6 - Mark Saleski
never heard of murphy's law?! ...and she's married to YOU?!
7 - DJRadiohead
What can I say? I am a living embodiment of the concept "Married Out of My League."
8 - Aaron Fleming
Ah, THAT Murphy, silly me! I guess I'm just used to the Duke's use of manic characters to colour his writings, so much so that such an allegorical usage swept over my head. Nah, keep it up, it's good, I'll be more keen eyed next time, I promise!
And I also wanted to make reference to the class action suit guy, he cracks me up.
9 - DJRadiohead
Sir Fleming, never let literalness get in the way of a great one liner- that's my advice. And you're right, the class action guy is great for a laugh.
You're right... The Duke's characters are fantastic pieces of his writing. I haven't the manic talents to summon them in my own writing. The cursing, on the other hand, has been a lifelong pursuit of mine.
10 - Tom Johnson
Crap. I just made the mistake of clicking over to Amazon and listening to clips. After reading all these pieces by you and Mark for a while, I still had yet to hear a single note by these guys, and the moment I heard the first song, I knew I'd like 'em. Dammit. Off to Best Buy today, I suppose . . .
11 - DJRadiohead
You won't be sorry, Tom. Ganging Up on the Sun and Keep it Together should be in your possession this very day.
12 - Brian
Hey man, I met you at "will call" when they couldnt find our tickets, and then talked to you between sets. Your review is incredible, it descibes the mood and everything of the show perfectly. Ill have to check back here in a few months, good luck with the tom petty thing, cyaa
13 - DJRadiohead
Brian, it was very cool meeting you. Thanks for checking out the review- I'm very glad you liked it. Thanks for that.
Petty looks "on" so far, so I am keeping my fingers crossed. Stop back any time.