Sufjan Stevens absolutely dazzled me tonight. When I saw him perform an early Age Of Adz show last November at The Beacon Theater, it was a great show but one could tell that the tour was just getting started. This time the Age Of Adz themed tour was in full force, better than ever before.
Age Of Adz, the latest album from the soon to be legendary singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens has only gotten better with time. The same can be said with it’s accompanying tour, that ends tomorrow night. Sufjan makes good use of the $35 ticket that he charged. It features an incredible light show, a huge screen, trippy effects, and costumes for his larger than life backing band.
The setlist was obviously Age Of Adz dominated, with colorful costumes and lights enhancing their already bright glow. Everything from the bands performance to their eccentric dancing worked even better than last time. The band seemed to have figured out what worked, and pushed it to its delightful limit. “Impossible Soul” was once again a highlight of the set. They nailed it perfectly, all 25 glorious minutes of it.
The true highlights came from Sufjan’s earlier, folkier side. At the end of his set Sufjan comforted the crowd with the notion that he will always be a folk musician at heart. One can’t argue with that statement after his triumphant performances of “Seven Swans” (the opening song), “Concerning The UFO Sighting Near Highland” and the always faithful, “Casmir Pulaski Day”.
Was there any other song for him to leave us with but “Chicago”? I can still remember the magical senation that overcame me when I discovered it oh so many years ago. The feeling still hasn’t left me. Goosebumps were once again raised during the emotional finish that proves that “Chicago” is not only a modern classic, but a masterpiece. It was the cherry on top of a wonderful evening, an unforgettable show that will have me back for more once he delivers more music.
Hopefully it won’t take five years again.
(My Brightest Diamond opened. I only caught the 2nd half of her set but I’ve definitely been missing out on her. Pretty great voice. Going to look into her.)
Setlist:
1. Sevens Swans
2. Too Much
3. Age Of Adz
4. Heirloom
5. I Walked
6. Now That I’m Older
7. Get Real Get Right
8. Vesuvius
9. I Want To Be Well
10. Futile Devices
11. Impossible Soul
Encore:
12. Concerning The UFO Sighting Near Highland
13. Casimir Pulaski Day
14. Chicago
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My Brightest Diamond:
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