While I love the Decemberists’ literary lyrics and sea shanties on the album, I did not know what to expect in a live show, especially at a festival. However, the Portland-based band did not disappoint with the fun and theatrics.
Instead of the T-shirt and jeans fare I had seen most bands wearing at the festival, the group came out sporting suits and dresses in light colors, looking as if they would be attending a polo match instead of rocking out.
“Seersucker is the perfect material for this weekend,” singer and fashion maven Colin Meloy recommended to the crowd.
As the band played “The Perfect Crime #2” Meloy announced it was time for a dance contest and had the crowd make large open circles.
“You never thought you’d have a dance contest at a Decemberists show, did you?” Meloy asked the crowd.
After some dancing in the circles, Meloy instructed everyone to pogo, which they did, including Nate Query, who was playing his upright bass at the time.
The band closed its set with “The Mariner’s Revenge.” Meloy told the crowd that help was needed for the most important effect in the song, “screaming like [you’re] being swallowed by a whale,” when guitarist Chris Funk made a whale motion.
During a practice run, Meloy instructed the crowd to lament more.
When the time in the lengthy song finally appeared, a blue whale made of fabric came onstage and started eating members of the band before the gypsy-like jamming at the end of the song.
“Thank you very much everybody for making our first Coachella so amazing,” Meloy told the crowd.
Fear not, if you msised them at Coachella, the Decemberists will be back at the Hollywood Bowl with the L.A. Philharmonic in July. You can read about that upcoming performance here .