Dirty Projectors Tame Raucous Crowd At Sold-Out Chicago Show

Posted on Nov 14th 2009 12:30PM by Anna Deem
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The crowd at the Dirty Projectors' set at Chicago's Bottom Lounge Friday night was anything but calm. Perhaps it was the buzz of a new weekend, or opener and one-woman band Tune-Yards' ability to wind up the crowd with her voice-manipulating antics.

Dave Longstreth took to the stage to applause and drunken shouts, starting things off with a solo version of an older song, 'Like Fake Blood In Crisp October.' Singing over cries of "D-Long" and the ever popular "Woooo!" from some inebriated folks in the crowd, Longstreth ignored their yelling, singing and playing with confidence.

The rest of the band joined Longstreth onstage for the second song, 'No Intention.' By then the crowd seemed to channel their energy into the music, clapping and nodding their heads along to the beat and three-way vocal harmonies of singers Amber Coffman, Angel Deradoorian and Haley Dekle.

Sticking mainly to songs from their 2009 album 'Bitte Orca,' the Dirty Projectors tore through crowd favorites like 'Temecula Sunrise' and 'Remade Horizon,' before segueing into a trio of songs from 2007's 'Rise Above' -- 'Spray Paint (The Walls),' 'Thirsty and Miserable' and 'Gimme Gimme Gimme.' While the album versions of those three songs are much more subdued than the Black Flag originals, the live versions were reminiscent of Longstreth's childhood hardcore punk heroes, with he and drummer Brian Mcomber tearing away at their instruments as if it were their last night on Earth.

Following up the chaotic 'Rise Above' songs with a stirring duet of 'Two Doves' by Longstreth and Deradoorian, the hushed crowd was less focused on getting their next drink and more interested in what was happening onstage. Several 'Bitte Orca' songs closed out the set, including 'Stillness Is The Move,' freshly covered by Solange Knowles, which had the crowd dancing along and waving their arms.

Running back onstage for the encore with big smiles on their faces, the Dirty Projectors worked their giddiness into their last two songs of the evening, starting off the encore with 'When The World Comes To An End,' their new song of the moment, showcased back in September on 'Jimmy Fallon.'

The night ended with a boppy version of 'Knotty Pine,' their contribution to the 'Dark Was The Night' compilation, with bouncy piano melodies egging the crowd on, encouraging everyone to stick around until the end, instead of venturing off to their next destination.