I'm not even getting into how long this whole trip took to write up, but here's my concert review. You can read the FULL thing HERE
The Concert
So... more wait time... and wait... I watched the crew checking the instruments... put out the setlists (which I couldn't read, because JF's was by the drum riser). Finally, the random music dimmed, and it was TMBG time. I couldn't exactly make out the tune that they entered with, but it wasn't the Orff intro. I also had a hard time making out the venue song which, of course, they opened with (after JF teased that they hadn't written one). About all I made out was what sounded like laughter. I'll need to DL it (once its up) just to see how OFF I was.
One of the first songs that they played was New York City, which just reminded me that I truly am "Three Days from New York City!" Woo-hoo.
Songs they played: Venue Song, Ana Ng, She's an Angel, Particle Mo, Bastard WTHM, 30 sec. Boss of Me, 2 H*R songs, It's Kickin' In, Dr. Worm, Fingertips, End of the Tour, Stalk of Wheat, Alphabet of Nations, Exp. Film, Spine/Memo, Wearing a Raincoat, Drink, Twisting, Robot Parade, Birdhouse, 'Til my Head Falls Off, Polk, Violin, Famous Polka, and Thunderbird
Highlights:
During Drink, JF had the crowd sing "Drink, Drink!" for every one of his "Drink!"s It sounded really cool.
Also during the show, Flansburgh told the a story: When he was working his graphical artist job (20+ years ago), he noticed that the company he worked for had a catalog of pictures of naked women on bicycles. He never really knew why they would actually ever need to use these. Then, before the show, when they were eating at a nearby restaurant, he looked out the window, and saw a topless woman riding a bicycle. And, a 25 year-old question was answered.
This was my first time seeing the dueling accordians on Particle Man, and I gotta say that it was interesting, to say the least.
For Dr. Worm, they shot off the confetti cannons, and most of the confetti on stage left went right back and flew at Dan Miller. Taken out by friendly fire. This was mostly because of the three official (they had stickers) TMBG fans that were blowing all night (I probably got a better breeze then any of the band). Later, during James K Polk, I noticed some guys by Linnell grabbing some of the confetti. At first, I thought 'Freaks!' - but then, I realized their plan. During the usual confetti part, they threw it in the air (got a grin from Weinkauf & Linnell). Because of the friendly fire incident, they actually had quite a bit of it to throw about.
Famous Polka - I was very close to strumming Flansburgh's guitar, but I wasn't standing at a central enough spot. Its okay - I was getting weak enough in the knees from JF and DM stepping out on the edge of the stage (several times). They were so close, I literally had to step back.
Violin/The Wave - Being a hockey fan, I had some reactions to JF's intro of the wave. It was fairly standard, but this time, he said "It's like a hockey game, but without all the fights." Now, with someone else, I'd be annoyed by the characterization of hockey as simply fight-filled, but from the other intros I've heard, I was like... ok, fine. But, there are still a couple of problems - 1) At least in St. Louis, you don't really see the wave at the hockey games and 2) Sniff, sniff... yeah, remind me of the lockout.
H*R - Homestar Runner was a special guest for the night, and I honestly did not know what to expect. I mean, its not like I haven't seen puppets at a TMBG show (how funny is that?), but I didn't know exactly what they would be doing. Basically, it was the band playing a tune, while first Marshie & then Homestar sang a random song. I really wish they recorded this portion because it was just so... appropriate. There's also something funny about a bunch of people going to a rock concert and ignoring a band, so they can watch puppets. I can't really remember the songs very well, but Marshie's sounded almost like a theme song (something about don't call me mushroom?) & Homestar's was about feet or shoes. I kinda hoped that they would have more, but before the puppet-set, I'd seen Miller verify from Bellar that it was two songs. Left me wanting more!
Thunderbird - before the show, the group of us were talking about songs, or more specifically, how we'd really like to finally hear Thunderbird. Since they'd played it the last two shows, we figured there was a fair chance that they'd play it again. I said that I'd be tempted to bring signs to Irving Plaza if they didn't, because I really wanted to hear it again. As she explained in her post, near the end of the show, rockygrrl and one of her friends figured that they wouldn't be playing T-bird, so they wrote it on the back of their foam hands. They were in the perfect spot to get Flans to see it, and during the second (?) encore, he introduced Thunderbird as being by request of the front row. We screamed in delight, and my night was made!!!!
I hate my memory, sometimes. I can't remember much more. I can't wait until this is up for download! I am SOOO buying it.
After the show, the security guys were very good about letting people wait around for souveneirs & such. We were waiting for a setlist, when Bellar came out. I guess he broke a stick... or just likes giving them away, because he came out to give away a drum stick. Some lady was really rude in her souvenier quest and ended up knocking into rockygrrl's niece. But, all turned out well - the concert goer who at one time didn't think she'd be able to go, got the stick. Rudeness will not often get you free stuff. Bellar signed some autographs, and before the security people physically moved us, he fetched the setlist for rockygrrl.
After that, we headed out, but I didn't get a chance to say goodbye, because I jumped into the massive t-shirt stand blob (not a line). Purchase made, I headed back to my car. I saw some people waiting by the bus for auto's, but I went ahead and left (after waiting a bit for traffic to clear). I was a little hungry, but most of my food possibilities were foiled (some by traffic, some by the hour), so I ate again at Krispy Kreme, before returning to the hostel and writing a brief review for the tmbg LJ community.
The Concert
So... more wait time... and wait... I watched the crew checking the instruments... put out the setlists (which I couldn't read, because JF's was by the drum riser). Finally, the random music dimmed, and it was TMBG time. I couldn't exactly make out the tune that they entered with, but it wasn't the Orff intro. I also had a hard time making out the venue song which, of course, they opened with (after JF teased that they hadn't written one). About all I made out was what sounded like laughter. I'll need to DL it (once its up) just to see how OFF I was.
One of the first songs that they played was New York City, which just reminded me that I truly am "Three Days from New York City!" Woo-hoo.
Songs they played: Venue Song, Ana Ng, She's an Angel, Particle Mo, Bastard WTHM, 30 sec. Boss of Me, 2 H*R songs, It's Kickin' In, Dr. Worm, Fingertips, End of the Tour, Stalk of Wheat, Alphabet of Nations, Exp. Film, Spine/Memo, Wearing a Raincoat, Drink, Twisting, Robot Parade, Birdhouse, 'Til my Head Falls Off, Polk, Violin, Famous Polka, and Thunderbird
Highlights:
During Drink, JF had the crowd sing "Drink, Drink!" for every one of his "Drink!"s It sounded really cool.
Also during the show, Flansburgh told the a story: When he was working his graphical artist job (20+ years ago), he noticed that the company he worked for had a catalog of pictures of naked women on bicycles. He never really knew why they would actually ever need to use these. Then, before the show, when they were eating at a nearby restaurant, he looked out the window, and saw a topless woman riding a bicycle. And, a 25 year-old question was answered.
This was my first time seeing the dueling accordians on Particle Man, and I gotta say that it was interesting, to say the least.
For Dr. Worm, they shot off the confetti cannons, and most of the confetti on stage left went right back and flew at Dan Miller. Taken out by friendly fire. This was mostly because of the three official (they had stickers) TMBG fans that were blowing all night (I probably got a better breeze then any of the band). Later, during James K Polk, I noticed some guys by Linnell grabbing some of the confetti. At first, I thought 'Freaks!' - but then, I realized their plan. During the usual confetti part, they threw it in the air (got a grin from Weinkauf & Linnell). Because of the friendly fire incident, they actually had quite a bit of it to throw about.
Famous Polka - I was very close to strumming Flansburgh's guitar, but I wasn't standing at a central enough spot. Its okay - I was getting weak enough in the knees from JF and DM stepping out on the edge of the stage (several times). They were so close, I literally had to step back.
Violin/The Wave - Being a hockey fan, I had some reactions to JF's intro of the wave. It was fairly standard, but this time, he said "It's like a hockey game, but without all the fights." Now, with someone else, I'd be annoyed by the characterization of hockey as simply fight-filled, but from the other intros I've heard, I was like... ok, fine. But, there are still a couple of problems - 1) At least in St. Louis, you don't really see the wave at the hockey games and 2) Sniff, sniff... yeah, remind me of the lockout.
H*R - Homestar Runner was a special guest for the night, and I honestly did not know what to expect. I mean, its not like I haven't seen puppets at a TMBG show (how funny is that?), but I didn't know exactly what they would be doing. Basically, it was the band playing a tune, while first Marshie & then Homestar sang a random song. I really wish they recorded this portion because it was just so... appropriate. There's also something funny about a bunch of people going to a rock concert and ignoring a band, so they can watch puppets. I can't really remember the songs very well, but Marshie's sounded almost like a theme song (something about don't call me mushroom?) & Homestar's was about feet or shoes. I kinda hoped that they would have more, but before the puppet-set, I'd seen Miller verify from Bellar that it was two songs. Left me wanting more!
Thunderbird - before the show, the group of us were talking about songs, or more specifically, how we'd really like to finally hear Thunderbird. Since they'd played it the last two shows, we figured there was a fair chance that they'd play it again. I said that I'd be tempted to bring signs to Irving Plaza if they didn't, because I really wanted to hear it again. As she explained in her post, near the end of the show, rockygrrl and one of her friends figured that they wouldn't be playing T-bird, so they wrote it on the back of their foam hands. They were in the perfect spot to get Flans to see it, and during the second (?) encore, he introduced Thunderbird as being by request of the front row. We screamed in delight, and my night was made!!!!
I hate my memory, sometimes. I can't remember much more. I can't wait until this is up for download! I am SOOO buying it.
After the show, the security guys were very good about letting people wait around for souveneirs & such. We were waiting for a setlist, when Bellar came out. I guess he broke a stick... or just likes giving them away, because he came out to give away a drum stick. Some lady was really rude in her souvenier quest and ended up knocking into rockygrrl's niece. But, all turned out well - the concert goer who at one time didn't think she'd be able to go, got the stick. Rudeness will not often get you free stuff. Bellar signed some autographs, and before the security people physically moved us, he fetched the setlist for rockygrrl.
After that, we headed out, but I didn't get a chance to say goodbye, because I jumped into the massive t-shirt stand blob (not a line). Purchase made, I headed back to my car. I saw some people waiting by the bus for auto's, but I went ahead and left (after waiting a bit for traffic to clear). I was a little hungry, but most of my food possibilities were foiled (some by traffic, some by the hour), so I ate again at Krispy Kreme, before returning to the hostel and writing a brief review for the tmbg LJ community.
i almost feel like i was there...
I read that last night... 
Excellent write-up on the Atlanta show, woodsie -- sounds like it was truly an awesome show! 