The Decemberists at the Riverside Theatre in Milwaukee
As It Ever Was, So It Was in Milwaukee as The Decemberists return at top of their game
It’s been six years since The Decemberists have released new music, but on Saturday in Milwaukee they wasted no time in sharing one of those songs before a near-full auditorium at the historic Riverside Theater. The first song from the gate was “Don’t Go to the Woods,” a haunting cautionary tale from their forthcoming album As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again. The full collection of 13 new songs won’t be available until June 14, but the appreciative crowd got to experience four of them live and in person.
“Don’t Go to the Woods” was the first in a three-song acoustic set that also included “January Hymn” and “June Hymn” tracks from 2011’s The King is Dead. Sparsely lit by eight bulbs on stands, Colin Meloy took center stage, flanked by Nate Query on upright bass and Jenny Conlee on accordion to his right, and multi-instrumentalist Lizzie Ellison, drummer John Moen and guitarist Chris Funk to his left. “Welcome to the gazebo,” said Meloy of the stage decked with various flora before a tapestry of vibrant flowers.
The pace picked up quickly from there. The piercing cry of the shofar horn (blown by multi-instrumentalist Victor Nash) signaled the stampeding drumbeat of “The Infanta,” the opening track from 2005’s acclaimed “Picaresque.” That transitioned nicely into “Burial Ground,” a new song that was released into the world this past February. The upbeat and bubbly melody of the tune stands in stark contrast to the lyrics which decry a world all wrong.
“This is not a happy song,” mused Meloy, somewhat tongue-in-cheek. “It’s a very grim and sad song … We are all, all of us together, marching foot-by-foot, step-by-step to our graves. There’s no denying it. That’s principally what this song is about — a reminder of your own mortality. So I’d like you to gleefully continue to sing it.”
Meloy seemed to genuinely be enjoying himself throughout the evening with a spring in his step and a grin on his face. He playfully sang the chorus of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” as a prelude to “Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect.” During “I Was Meant for the Stage,” he left the stage, wandered into the crowd and took selfies with fans’ phones. It was one of those perfect moments when performer and audience merge into a symbiotic partnership of love and mutual admiration for one another.
Overall, the setlist was a wonderful balance of time-proven favorites, like “The Crane Wife 1,” “The Queen’s Rebuke/The Crossing” and “16 Military Wives,” interwoven with the new tracks. The band was tight, the songs diverse and after 24 years together The Decemberists certainly appear to be at the top of their game, continuing to bend genres and pull surprises.
Surprises like “Oh No!.” a danceable, calypso-style swing; and “Joan in the Garden,” an epic encore that clocked in at over 18 minutes and skillfully merged the band’s classic sound with touches reminiscent of avant-garde Radiohead and bombastic Pink Floyd.
I look forward to hearing the rest of the new album and will certainly see The Decemberists perform again if given the opportunity. You should go see them, too. The “A Peaceable Kingdom” North American Tour continues through August. Check http://www.decemberists.com/tour for dates near you. Don’t hesitate to get your tickets early. Several of the dates are sold out or limited tickets remain. Be sure to follow @thedecemberists on Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube for all the latest content and info.
Setlist:
Don’t Go to the Woods (2024, As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again)
January Hymn (2011, The King is Dead)
June Hymn (2011, The King is Dead)
The Infanta (2005, Picaresque)
Burial Ground (2024, As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again)
The Crane Wife 1 (2006, The Crane Wife)
Dreams (Fleetwood Mac cover) / Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect (2003, Castaways and Cutouts)
Oh No! (2024, As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again)
Long White Veil (2024, As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again)
The Sporting Life (2005, Picaresque)
The Queen’s Rebuke/The Crossing (2009, Hazards of Love)
Severed (2018, I’ll Be Your Girl)
16 Military Wives (2005, Picaresque)
I Was Meant for the Stage (2003, Her Majesty The Decemberists)
Encore: Joan in the Garden (2024, As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again)