The Magnetic Fields at the Pantages Theater

The Magnetic Fields show last night at the beautiful Pantages Theater was a little different than I expected it to be. I wasn’t really thinking much of the opening act, and as far as the Magnetic Fields go, I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but that wasn’t it.

Andrew Bird was the opening act, just one guy with a violin, guitar and glockenspiel, impressive whistling and song lyrics and a vocal style like Thom Yorke’s. The key to his performance is the violin, which he would loop a section before each song, and then play on top of that – both as a normal violin and like a guitar. He was incredible and very creative. After his show I was almost ready to leave, as his act alone was worth the $25.

When the Magnetic Fields come out, I was happy to see Claudia take the stage with Stephin Merritt and two other musicians (banjo, guitar, cello). I love most of her songs on 69 Love Songs, and I was hoping it wasn’t going to be just Stephin, performing just his songs. For some reason, the higher pitches were giving a hard time during this tour, so he had to cover his ears during the louder applauses, and it seemed like the whole show was turned down a few notches.

Claudia and Stephin were perfect onstage together. He was witty and quiet, while she was just hilarious and more open with the crowd. They played a nice mix of songs from the decent new record i, and the wonderful 69 Love Songs, including Reno Dakota, I Don’t Believe in the Sun, Chicken With It’s Head Cut Off, Book of Love, Love is Like Jazz, and Papa Was a Rodeo. But the best performance of the night was during Yeah! Oh, Yeah!, on the third disc, which I rarely listen to. During the song, the two paced around the stage, after spending the entire show stuck to their seats. The lyrics of that song capture the mood of the concert so I’ll post them in case you haven’t heard the song. It’s about love, it’s depressing, and it’s kinda funny.

Are you out of love with me?
Are you longing to be free?
Do I drive you up a tree?

Yeah! Oh, yeah!

Do I drive you up the wall?
Do you dread every phone call?
Can you not stand me at all?
Yeah! Oh, yeah!

Though I need you more than air
is it true you just don’t care?
Are you having an affair?

Yeah! Oh, yeah!

When we met I thought
money was everything
so I let you buy the house,
the car, the ring
but I can’t take your perpetual whining
and you can’t sing
I though if we live apart
we could made a brand-new start
Do you want to break my heart?

Yeah! Oh, yeah!

I’ve enjoyed making you
miserable for years
found peace of mind in
playing on your fears
How I loved to catch your gold
and silver tears, but now my dear
What a dark and dreary life
Are you reaching for a knife?
Could you really kill your wife?

Yeah! Oh, yeah!

Of, I die, I die, I die!
So it’s over, you and I
Was my whole life just a lie?

Yeah! Oh, yeah!

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The Magnetic Fields at the Pantages Theater

The Magnetic Fields show last night at the beautiful Pantages Theater was a little different than I expected it to be. I wasn’t really thinking much of the opening act, and as far as the Magnetic Fields go, I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but that wasn’t it.

Andrew Bird was the opening act, just one guy with a violin, guitar and glockenspiel, impressive whistling and song lyrics and a vocal style like Thom Yorke’s. The key to his performance is the violin, which he would loop a section before each song, and then play on top of that – both as a normal violin and like a guitar. He was incredible and very creative. After his show I was almost ready to leave, as his act alone was worth the $25.

When the Magnetic Fields come out, I was happy to see Claudia take the stage with Stephin Merritt and two other musicians (banjo, guitar, cello). I love most of her songs on 69 Love Songs, and I was hoping it wasn’t going to be just Stephin, performing just his songs. For some reason, the higher pitches were giving a hard time during this tour, so he had to cover his ears during the louder applauses, and it seemed like the whole show was turned down a few notches.

Claudia and Stephin were perfect onstage together. He was witty and quiet, while she was just hilarious and more open with the crowd. They played a nice mix of songs from the decent new record i, and the wonderful 69 Love Songs, including Reno Dakota, I Don’t Believe in the Sun, Chicken With It’s Head Cut Off, Book of Love, Love is Like Jazz, and Papa Was a Rodeo. But the best performance of the night was during Yeah! Oh, Yeah!, on the third disc, which I rarely listen to. During the song, the two paced around the stage, after spending the entire show stuck to their seats. The lyrics of that song capture the mood of the concert so I’ll post them in case you haven’t heard the song. It’s about love, it’s depressing, and it’s kinda funny.

Are you out of love with me?
Are you longing to be free?
Do I drive you up a tree?

Yeah! Oh, yeah!

Do I drive you up the wall?
Do you dread every phone call?
Can you not stand me at all?
Yeah! Oh, yeah!

Though I need you more than air
is it true you just don’t care?
Are you having an affair?

Yeah! Oh, yeah!

When we met I thought
money was everything
so I let you buy the house,
the car, the ring
but I can’t take your perpetual whining
and you can’t sing
I though if we live apart
we could made a brand-new start
Do you want to break my heart?

Yeah! Oh, yeah!

I’ve enjoyed making you
miserable for years
found peace of mind in
playing on your fears
How I loved to catch your gold
and silver tears, but now my dear
What a dark and dreary life
Are you reaching for a knife?
Could you really kill your wife?

Yeah! Oh, yeah!

Of, I die, I die, I die!
So it’s over, you and I
Was my whole life just a lie?

Yeah! Oh, yeah!