After a brief performance of what Meloy called “the very worst song I ever wrote ... with the very worst chords you can possibly play together,” something about Dracula’s daughter, he went back to work in the crowd-pleasing department. 
“O Valencia!,” also from The Crane Wife, got everybody hopping again before Stark returned to team up on lead vocals with Worden (above left with Stark and Meloy) for a cover of Heart’s “Crazy On You.” There was no doubt who won the award for best Ann Wilson impersonation. It must be good to be the Queen.
For the finale, Meloy wanted to send his fans home with “ringing in your ears” to the refrain of “Here all the bombs fade away,” from “Sons & Daughters.”
Mission accomplished. Now Meloy and his fellow Decemberists might want to consider flipping the sets and saving the best for last.
Something for the band with brains to think about.
Extras
For more photos from the Fillmore concert, check out the slideshow below:
Article comments
1 - Mat Brewster
Sounds like a heck of a night. I was curious as to how they were going to pull the new one off in a live setting.
2 - Michael
Yeah, Mat, so was I. But it worked beautifully. Just wondering how long they'll be able to maintain the same energy and enthusiasm. Hope they decide to flip the sets, too.