Amanda Palmer in Boston reviews

If someone asks you to go see a band, as long as you don't actively dislike them (the person asking, or the band you're going to see), you should probably say yes, because something amazing can happen.

Last week, Jeff asked if I wanted to go see Amanda Palmer with him and Timmo. I has pretty much no idea who she was or what her music was like. I mean, I know the Internet was abuzz with crazy rabid fans, but lots of bands are like that. Oh, she was in the Dresden Dolls? I never liked them all that much, though admittedly I never listened to them all that much. But, what the hell, I'd go, because there's nothing much better than a rock show.

Doors are at 7:00, we show up at about 7:30. In front of the Paradise there is a band playing. And when I say "band" I mean "band" as in a marching band with saxes and trumpets and what have you. They are dressed kinda gothy, which is to be expected I guess, and they have girls dancing in front of them. We don't stay to watch long though, because 1) it is really fucking cold out and 2) I don't have a ticket yet and the show might be sold out. But I get a ticket, and we go in.

And it's kind of confusing. There's another band playing in there, right next to the stage. Not on the stage, but next to it, completely unplugged. We're wondering if this is one of the opening bands or what; it's confusing because the first opener wasn't supposed to go on for another half hour almost. Turns out it is the Army of Broken Toys who are kind of just following the tour around and playing before the shows. They are hard to hear, but what we do hear is pretty ok. And hey, free music, so really it would be unfair to complain. Plus, they gave us little noisemakers.

Anyway, after they clear off, the first real opener, Vermillion Lies comes on. It's a couple of sisters, and they both sing, one playing guitar, the other playing random percussion stuff like a typewriter and a gas can and a marionette. They play fun, funny songs. It isn't great music and I wouldn't buy one of their CDs I don't hink, but it is really entertaining to see performed live. And isn't that the point of going to see a band play?

Next up is The Builders and the Butchers, who flat out rock. They play a little unorthodox, with, instead of a drum kit, a few drums on the floor and a couple guys beating the shit out of them. Oh, and they have a banjo, as well. But really, they just sound like a really solid, tight rock band, and they look like they are having a ton of fun playing. The set is all about audience participation, though. We're asked to clap along and sing along. Eventually they pass out washboards and tambourines and other stuff to the audience so we can play along. It's a great set, and I'm already happy with my decision to come.

And then we're to Amanda Palmer. Well, kind of. Between sets, we've been told that she's dead, and won't be playing. You see, the title of her album is Who Killed Amanda Palmer? But, since we are in her home town, we get a special guest to give a eulogy: her mom. So, she talks a little, then we all sing Abide With Me together. Everyone fucks up because they have no idea how to read a hymn. But whatever, it's fun. Then Amanda Palmer's acting troupe, the Danger Ensemble comes out and starts doing their acting thing, and I feel a tap on my shoulder and Amanda Palmer is making her way past me, through the crowd, to the stage.

So she gets up on the stage, and starts playing, and yeah, it's pretty good. I'm not in love with her music, especially not the Dresden Dolls stuff. Her solo stuff, though, is really good. She plays hard, screams her lungs out, and puts on a hell of a show. The Danger Ensemble comes out during certain songs and either does a set piece on stage, or goes out into the audience. It's just a really well put together show, and even if you're not a huge fan of her music there's a good chance you'll enjoy yourself anyway.

The music is broken up by the "ask Amanda" part of the show where Amanda takes questions from the audience, which is fun. She asks everyone to text message her their email addresses so we can get on the email list. Later on she auctions off a signed picture of herself, and a guitar used in her Guitar Hero video. The audience pays absurd amounts for these things and it is fun.

After a two hour set, she closes by lip syncing Umbrella along with the Danger Ensemble, and after a couple minute break, it is time for the encore. This starts off with her telling us that the Danger Ensemble is unpaid, and survives on tips. So, the Builders and the Butchers join her on stage and they do a cover of Living on a Prayer while the actors go through the audience with boots and people donate. The real close is Leeds United, with The Builders and the Butchers, Vermillion Lies, and the marching band from outside all playing together. There's tons of energy on stage, and everyone is having a great time.

The show was so good it may make it into my top 5 all time concerts.

It was good enough, in fact, that I went to see it all again the next night. For the most part it was the same. The set lists were a little different. Amanda Palmer's mother wasn't there. We were closer to the stage, front row in fact. That meant that during Umbrella I get a bottle of water poured on my head, but it was really hot so it wasn't so bad.

I guess what I'm trying to say is if the tour is coming to your area, you should probably go.