Okay, I just got back from the show (after a quick stop at the grocery store - yum, KIX are good!), and of course, it was very enjoyable. With no people jumping the stage, trying to start fights, or throwing crap, I think that The Pageant might be my favorite place to see TMBG play!
First off, the setlist, in no particular order,
Intro (Crickets '05 - my name for it)
Istanbul
Damn Good Times
Alphabet of Nations
Dr. Worm
Drink!
Birdhouse
Dead
Snail Shell
NYC
Ana Ng
John Lee (Argh)
Don't Let's Start
Robot
Working Undercover
Older
Museum of Idiots
Boss of Me (30 second)
Fingertips
The Guitar
Memo
Experimental Film
Clap Your Hands
"Hocus"
Venue Songs:
HOB Anaheim
HOB West Hollywood
The Egg
Vancouver
St. L - Mississippi Nights
Dallas Trees
Glasgow - T-H-E-G-A-R-A-G-E
Pittsburgh
Stone Pony
Celebrate Brooklyn
Charlottesville
I'm sure there will be a setlist posted by Alceste in a day or so, but that's what I have down from memory.
So, from the beginning: I'd initially planned to get to the concert WAY early, but because I was up LATE reading, I slept in... and didn't get anything done. SO, that pushed my departure back. I didn't end up in line until 6pm, with 7pm doors (which they actually opened 10+ min. early). This is really good for me at St. Louis concerts, as I used to not make it until way after doors. But, I've been wanting to get a good spot up front - a spot that I haven't had since I saw them in Nashville.
Anyway, when I finally got in, there was room at the edge of the front (The Pageant's stage seemed HUGE after the the last few TMBG concerts I've been to), but after much debate, I decided that I'd just go to the Louisville concert WAY early for a good spot & sit at this show, since good seating is a rarity at most of the TMBG concerts I've been to. I ended up with a spot in the first row of seats. This gave me the option of drinking & being lazy. To kill the time 'til Corn Mo, I'd brought the copy of American Psycho from the library (I had a couple older guys comment on that book, and a couple younger folks commenting on my Strongbad shirt), which I read while drinking an incredibly strong Appletini (or maybe I have no tolerance anymore).
There was an older guy who was sitting next to me (I think he was a Flood fan -> not really exposed to the rest of the discography. I say this because he seemed to really like the Flood songs, but wasn't nearly as enthused about the rest of the show. Oh, and he left before the encore), and when Corn Mo came on (early!), he asked me who the opening act was. I explained Corn Mo, and the guy seemed to like the show. Corn Mo's act was certainly enjoyable tonight. I don't know his songs well enough to name, but he played many of the same songs from his last trip here. Oh, and he got a new toy! Along with the cymbal & accordian, he has his own Casio keyboard.
Once Corn Mo finished his set, it was time to wait for TMBG. Unfortunately, since they didn't bring all the houselights back up, I couldn't read any more of my book. I also didn't dare get another drink, as I figured that... it wouldn't be a good idea. So, I just kinda sat around... watching the stage crew from my vantage point... waiting. Eventually, around 9:15 or so, TMBG came on. The intro was Space Crickets with drums (recorded) & lights (blinding the crowd). Then, JL came on stage, playing some notes which sounded like "The Future of Sound", with the rest of the band slowly joining up improv-like (think SPY), until they eventually segued into Istanbul. They did the same thing in London, so that might be their new "thing" to breathe life into an old song.
One of the first songs they played was "Alphabet of Nations", which I'm honestly getting tired of. There are many songs on that album which I'd rather they played, but... oh well. I think that it was right after that (or right before) when they played "Dr. Worm." Whatever the order, Dr. Worm was relatively early, and included the confetti. A lot of the confetti ended up back on the stage (sure it couldn't be the battle between the strong A/C and stage fans), but it wasn't to the extent of some friendly fire incidents that I've witnessed. Still, it was enough for Flans to focus on. Like a little kid (because the confetti was covering his guitar peddle things, I guess - yeah I know nothing about guitars), between songs, he went back to one of the fans, and angled it so that the confetti blew off (looked kinda neat). He also told a story of confetti - he said that one day, they were playing early at museum or something, in Chicago. It was one of those afternoon shows, and there was a more serious concert that night. Anyway, they shot of the confetti, finished the show, left, whatever. Then, he heard that that night, some confetti which had been blow to the rafters came loose during the serious show, and ended up blowing down, totally ruining the show. As JF said, it doesn't matter how the show goes - it's all about ruining other shows.
The venue songs part was quite enjoyable for me, though it seemed that a lot of the non-front row mostly-non TMBG MB/NG/LJ people weren't quite as into it as the rest of the show. But, whatever. They don't count ;-)
When I saw TMBG in London, Jonathon Ross MC-ed the Venue songs part. However, here, JL and JF read the intro of the segment and between each song. It was mostly the same script as Jonathon Ross's, and I'd guess every other guest MC, at that. Yet, it was much different seeing the Johns shuffling through the intro scripts between every song. The Venue Songs setlist was much the same as in London, with the addition of Mississippi Nights (which I think Flansburgh switched a couple lyrics on - he needed help from Linnell on the key at the beginning, anyway), but I still loved it all. I wonder how many people there actually knew all the lyrics (like dorky me) of these songs.
Randomness: Danny (W) had his red pants on, and for whatever reason, Dan Miller wore his sunglasses for the whole show, until the finale. And though he's probably done this a long time, and I never noticed from my usual vantage point, during Fingertips, at the end, Marty thre w a stick in the air & caught it before the last beat. Of course, the only reason I noticed this was that Flansburgh was swinging around his guitar.
For the last song of the show, which was listed on the setlist as "Hocus" (I think), TMBG brought Corn Mo on stage (I naturally assumed that they'd play Particle Man). It was... well... the song was basically indescribable. TMBG & the band were basically jamming (that's what it sounded like, anyway), and Corn Mo did vocals (not words as much as notes) periodically - getting way higher than I thought he could go. The whole jam was basically 70s/80s style hard rock, with Corn Mo going all out in that mold - using his hair for some brief head-banging. This was highly entertaining and very cool, but I feel that it probably would've done better as the next to last song. But, whatever, I enjoyed the show immensely.
After the show, I stopped by the stage to seek out a setlist. I didn't get one (oh well), but I did end up spotting Alceste. I said "Hi!", but then, I went ahead and left (after making sure I didn't need to make any purchases). I tried calling my mom on the way to my car, but there wasn't an answer. As I passed the bus, I saw two young female fans with signs (hoping for autos - must be newbies). JL came out of the stage exit, and they asked them if he would come over to sign something (only reason I noticed he was there), but he apologetically declined, and went instead to the bus. Not much past the girls, my phone rang. It was my mother, phoning me back. The only reason I mention this, my ringtone for her is "I Palindrome I." I was happy to be (possibly) far enough from the bus that I didn't feel like a total dork. 15-20 seconds earlier, I would've felt like a total stalker freak.
Anyway, that's the concert, or what I remember. I didn't spell check or proofread, so... sorry!
First off, the setlist, in no particular order,
Intro (Crickets '05 - my name for it)
Istanbul
Damn Good Times
Alphabet of Nations
Dr. Worm
Drink!
Birdhouse
Dead
Snail Shell
NYC
Ana Ng
John Lee (Argh)
Don't Let's Start
Robot
Working Undercover
Older
Museum of Idiots
Boss of Me (30 second)
Fingertips
The Guitar
Memo
Experimental Film
Clap Your Hands
"Hocus"
Venue Songs:
HOB Anaheim
HOB West Hollywood
The Egg
Vancouver
St. L - Mississippi Nights
Dallas Trees
Glasgow - T-H-E-G-A-R-A-G-E
Pittsburgh
Stone Pony
Celebrate Brooklyn
Charlottesville
I'm sure there will be a setlist posted by Alceste in a day or so, but that's what I have down from memory.
So, from the beginning: I'd initially planned to get to the concert WAY early, but because I was up LATE reading, I slept in... and didn't get anything done. SO, that pushed my departure back. I didn't end up in line until 6pm, with 7pm doors (which they actually opened 10+ min. early). This is really good for me at St. Louis concerts, as I used to not make it until way after doors. But, I've been wanting to get a good spot up front - a spot that I haven't had since I saw them in Nashville.
Anyway, when I finally got in, there was room at the edge of the front (The Pageant's stage seemed HUGE after the the last few TMBG concerts I've been to), but after much debate, I decided that I'd just go to the Louisville concert WAY early for a good spot & sit at this show, since good seating is a rarity at most of the TMBG concerts I've been to. I ended up with a spot in the first row of seats. This gave me the option of drinking & being lazy. To kill the time 'til Corn Mo, I'd brought the copy of American Psycho from the library (I had a couple older guys comment on that book, and a couple younger folks commenting on my Strongbad shirt), which I read while drinking an incredibly strong Appletini (or maybe I have no tolerance anymore).
There was an older guy who was sitting next to me (I think he was a Flood fan -> not really exposed to the rest of the discography. I say this because he seemed to really like the Flood songs, but wasn't nearly as enthused about the rest of the show. Oh, and he left before the encore), and when Corn Mo came on (early!), he asked me who the opening act was. I explained Corn Mo, and the guy seemed to like the show. Corn Mo's act was certainly enjoyable tonight. I don't know his songs well enough to name, but he played many of the same songs from his last trip here. Oh, and he got a new toy! Along with the cymbal & accordian, he has his own Casio keyboard.
Once Corn Mo finished his set, it was time to wait for TMBG. Unfortunately, since they didn't bring all the houselights back up, I couldn't read any more of my book. I also didn't dare get another drink, as I figured that... it wouldn't be a good idea. So, I just kinda sat around... watching the stage crew from my vantage point... waiting. Eventually, around 9:15 or so, TMBG came on. The intro was Space Crickets with drums (recorded) & lights (blinding the crowd). Then, JL came on stage, playing some notes which sounded like "The Future of Sound", with the rest of the band slowly joining up improv-like (think SPY), until they eventually segued into Istanbul. They did the same thing in London, so that might be their new "thing" to breathe life into an old song.
One of the first songs they played was "Alphabet of Nations", which I'm honestly getting tired of. There are many songs on that album which I'd rather they played, but... oh well. I think that it was right after that (or right before) when they played "Dr. Worm." Whatever the order, Dr. Worm was relatively early, and included the confetti. A lot of the confetti ended up back on the stage (sure it couldn't be the battle between the strong A/C and stage fans), but it wasn't to the extent of some friendly fire incidents that I've witnessed. Still, it was enough for Flans to focus on. Like a little kid (because the confetti was covering his guitar peddle things, I guess - yeah I know nothing about guitars), between songs, he went back to one of the fans, and angled it so that the confetti blew off (looked kinda neat). He also told a story of confetti - he said that one day, they were playing early at museum or something, in Chicago. It was one of those afternoon shows, and there was a more serious concert that night. Anyway, they shot of the confetti, finished the show, left, whatever. Then, he heard that that night, some confetti which had been blow to the rafters came loose during the serious show, and ended up blowing down, totally ruining the show. As JF said, it doesn't matter how the show goes - it's all about ruining other shows.
The venue songs part was quite enjoyable for me, though it seemed that a lot of the non-front row mostly-non TMBG MB/NG/LJ people weren't quite as into it as the rest of the show. But, whatever. They don't count ;-)
When I saw TMBG in London, Jonathon Ross MC-ed the Venue songs part. However, here, JL and JF read the intro of the segment and between each song. It was mostly the same script as Jonathon Ross's, and I'd guess every other guest MC, at that. Yet, it was much different seeing the Johns shuffling through the intro scripts between every song. The Venue Songs setlist was much the same as in London, with the addition of Mississippi Nights (which I think Flansburgh switched a couple lyrics on - he needed help from Linnell on the key at the beginning, anyway), but I still loved it all. I wonder how many people there actually knew all the lyrics (like dorky me) of these songs.
Randomness: Danny (W) had his red pants on, and for whatever reason, Dan Miller wore his sunglasses for the whole show, until the finale. And though he's probably done this a long time, and I never noticed from my usual vantage point, during Fingertips, at the end, Marty thre w a stick in the air & caught it before the last beat. Of course, the only reason I noticed this was that Flansburgh was swinging around his guitar.
For the last song of the show, which was listed on the setlist as "Hocus" (I think), TMBG brought Corn Mo on stage (I naturally assumed that they'd play Particle Man). It was... well... the song was basically indescribable. TMBG & the band were basically jamming (that's what it sounded like, anyway), and Corn Mo did vocals (not words as much as notes) periodically - getting way higher than I thought he could go. The whole jam was basically 70s/80s style hard rock, with Corn Mo going all out in that mold - using his hair for some brief head-banging. This was highly entertaining and very cool, but I feel that it probably would've done better as the next to last song. But, whatever, I enjoyed the show immensely.
After the show, I stopped by the stage to seek out a setlist. I didn't get one (oh well), but I did end up spotting Alceste. I said "Hi!", but then, I went ahead and left (after making sure I didn't need to make any purchases). I tried calling my mom on the way to my car, but there wasn't an answer. As I passed the bus, I saw two young female fans with signs (hoping for autos - must be newbies). JL came out of the stage exit, and they asked them if he would come over to sign something (only reason I noticed he was there), but he apologetically declined, and went instead to the bus. Not much past the girls, my phone rang. It was my mother, phoning me back. The only reason I mention this, my ringtone for her is "I Palindrome I." I was happy to be (possibly) far enough from the bus that I didn't feel like a total dork. 15-20 seconds earlier, I would've felt like a total stalker freak.
Anyway, that's the concert, or what I remember. I didn't spell check or proofread, so... sorry!
oh well, i guess i can buy the show from the download store, & pretend i went. 
you rock for posting about it so quick.
i'm glad it's all over now, to tell you the truth. now i can stop thinkin about it. 
Excellent write-up, woodsie. 
not anything major, just little blips...