The Decemberists are currently on tour, promoting their newest album As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again. Nerds & Beyond was fortunate to attend their show in Tucson, Arizona on July 19th.
The Rialto is an iconic venue, hosting musicians, comedians, and many other forms of entertainment in a spacious and comfortable environment.
The opening act, a rock group from Chicago called Ratboys, pumped up the crowd with their set. Attendees were enjoying their set, dancing and cheering for them after every song. Their lead vocalist, Julia, has a unique and entrancing voice that kept everyone in the room captivated.
Ratboys promoted their latest album, The Window. Ratboys are: Julia Steiner, guitar and vocals, Dave Sagan, guitar, Sean Neumann bass and vocals, and Marcus Nuccio, drums. You can find them wherever you stream your music.
The Decemberists opened with a low-key set of a few, mostly acoustic songs. They then kicked up the energy, adding more and more musicians to the stage until the atmosphere was that of an expertly crafted jam session. Lead singer Colin Meloy worked the crowd and made time for humorous asides with his fellow bandmates.
The crowd was energized, the band was on form, and it was a highly enjoyable set with songs both new and old.
If you enjoy rock with an indie/folk twist, organs, brass instruments, and a lead singer with a voice that sounds just as perfect in person as it does on record, seek out The Decemberists.
The Decemberists can be found wherever you stream your music, and here.
