The New Pornographers with opening act The Pains of Being
Pure At Heart at First Avenue in Minneapolis MN on November 12th,
2014.
I don’t usually go to concerts in November or December
because I have work obligations through both of these months that take up all
of my time. I usually end up working ten to fourteen hours a day. This is also
why the writing of this blog takes a nosedive during these two months. That
being said I couldn’t miss one of my favorite bands play at a great venue like
this. This is the first time that The Pains of Being Pure At Heart (The Pains)
have played at First Avenue (1st Ave). The other venue that they have played at
was The Triple Rock Social Club. I hope that they get to headline at 1st Ave
some day.
I took my wife with to see The Pains. Because of my
additional work schedule, we ended up getting to the venue fifteen minutes
late. We missed the first three songs because of this. The doors actually
opened at 7 for the concert and The Pains went on at 8. We got there at 8:15. I
was disappointed that we got there late. I did hear the end of Kelly as we were
walking in though. When we got into the venue it was totally packed. The
concert was sold out. It had to have been even worse when The New Pornographers
started their set. I wouldn’t know as we got out of there soon after The Pains
were done playing.
Once we got settled in a spot to watch and listen to the
concert, the balcony on the right side, I realized that there was not a
keyboard and there was a new female vocalist. She had an interesting “R”
sounding vocal style. I liked the style as it gave a different sound to the
music. Also, without the keyboards, Kip, The lead singer for most of the songs,
had to focus on the lead guitar parts to cover for the missing keyboards. This
also gave a whole new dimension to the music. I think it is very cool to hear
different ways that the music can be played.
After the set, we went down to the merch table and saw Kip
right away. He must have gone directly from the stage to the merch table. I had
sent a twitter to him earlier asking if he would be there to sign a CD for me.
He said he would be happy to sign what ever I had. I brought my copy of their
first release as a band on their own label, Painbow Records. He was blown away
to see a copy of this CD as there weren’t that many pressed. He signed it, “To
Painfully PurelyHim Love Kip” I also bought a second copy of the new 10” tour
EP and he signed that as well. I want to get all of my Pains collection signed
but I don’t want to be the guy that brings his whole collection to a concert to
have the band sign every single item. So, I’ll settle for bringing an item with
to a concert when they come through town.
I am always excited when the Pains come to town even if they
are opening up for a more popular band. I will go to see them no matter what is
going on in my life. I like them that much. Now maybe next time it could be
scheduled for a summer show? I think every show in Minnesota the weather has
been cold. Could you work on that for the next tour Kip?
Thanks to The New Pornographers for having The Pains open
for them. Thanks to First ave for having both groups. And, thanks to The Pains,
Kip and the ghost members, for playing the music that I love so much.
Set List:
Until The Sun Explodes
Heart In Your Heartbreak
Kelly
Simple and Sure
Come Saturday
Young Adult Friction
Coral and Gold
Belong
Life After Life
Eurydice
The Pains of Being Pure At Heart
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