Encore!

Last night was the opening of my 2007/08 concert attending season. So I put on my best cowboy shirt, and headed down to Her Majesty's Theatre with Narelle to take in the sweet smooth sounds of Ryan Adams and the Cardinals.

We got there a bit before 8pm, mid way through the opening act. She was actually an Adelaide girl, who had recently relocated to New York (where she had met Ryan Adams, who had brought her back here). She was pretty good - kind of Lucinda Williams-ish. She was accompanied by another guitarist who was great - the leads he played around her parts fitted in really well, he was melodic without overpowering what she was doing. Anyway I'll probably try and track down her album when it comes out later this year (although first I'll have to find out what her name was).

At about 8.40pm Ryan and his band hit the stage. They played almost the entire show in darkness, lit only partially by washes of purple and blue light. The performance was pretty tight, and the Cardinals are obviously a very talented band. Unfortunately I didn't know a lot of the material they played, although I can't blame that on Ryan, that one's all on me. Because I think I probably own six or seven of his albums, and only listen to one and a half of them. The best stuff he did was the heavier stuff towards the end - he played a fantastic version of "I See Monsters" that was the highlight for me.

At about 10.10pm he left the stage, and I assumed he'd be back in a few minutes for an encore. Within seconds though the house lights came on, and The Clash's "Rock the Casbah" came on the PA. Everyone kind of looked at each other confused - was that it? Until last night I don't think I've been to a concert where the performer didn't do at least one encore.

Anyway, once we all realised they weren't coming back (as roadies pulled apart the backdrop and carried off equipment) we all headed home. I felt kind of stupid getting home from a concert at 10.30pm. Got a good night's sleep at least.

For those of you who are interested (OK, it's only Alen), here's the setlist they played:

Goodnight Rose
Please Do Not Let Me Go
Cold Roses
Dear John
Off Broadway
Mockingbird
Peaceful Valley
Wild Flowers
Dear Chicago
I See Monsters
What Sin
Easy Plateau
Magnolia Mountain
A Kiss Before I Go