I wanted to write a review with a witty opening metaphor about Phoenix and rebirth and the changing of the seasons, but I couldn’t really figure it out. Yesterday being the first day of fall, said metaphor would probably have fit more appropriately with Phoenix’s blazing hot (literally and figuratively) last show at The Varsity Theatre at the beginning of summer. This band’s ascendancy has been straight up, Varsity Theater to a very sold out First Avenue in a few months is impressive. That didn’t stop the band from playing a rare acoustic in-store performance at The Electric Fetus earlier in the day. I missed it, but apparently the band remarked that they had been waiting all their lives to play First Avenue, and it definitely showed.

Brooklyn-based Chairlift opened the show almost exactly at nine with a very short concise set. I haven’t listened to the band much, it was mellow but entertaining, the sort of music you would want playing in the background while on the beach or at the park. The lead singer Caroline Polachek’s voice reminds quite a bit of Maggie Morrison of Minneapolis-based Lookbook.

The crowd was a bit unexpected, I was bro-blocked several times while trying to catch up with friends in the center of the floor; a couple of creatine-enhanced frat dudes actually had their arms linked blocking the entire stairs to the left of the soundboard, that was a first for me. Luckily we got up to the front where the energy was high and everyone was just happy to be in the moment.

Phoenix came on shortly after 10 pm and started with Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix album opener Lisztomania, which was fairly standard minus an amped up bridge and extended outro. Most of their live show follows closely with the studio versions of their songs, and they don’t deviate their setlists from show to show very much (this set was nearly identical to the Varsity show). Normally I would have a problem with the lack of variation, but their studio work is so polished and tight that seeing that recreated flawlessly in a live show is a treat. The band has stated that during the recording process for their latest album they’ve played each track literally thousands of times, working out all the kinks and perfecting each song (Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix took over three years to complete). The set was concise, and there’s not a whole lot more to say about it. “Love Like a Sunset” was definitely a highlight, with the house lights turned off completely and gradually brightening as the song peaked, the crowd quieted down as the audience said shh (sorry for the Atmosphere reference, I couldn’t help myself). The only song I thought really lacked energy was “Fences,” surprisingly.

Consolation Prizes

video by Eric Bass

But the real highlight was the encore, it was perfect. “If I Ever Feel Better” was the song of the night, with a reworked metal-ish section that really rips. And of course, “Too Young” and “1901″ were crowd-pleasers and executed perfectly. The show ended with front man and lead singer Thomas Mars crowdsurfing during “1901,” as he did at the Varsity show.

If I Ever Feel Better

video by Eric Bass

1901

video by Eric Bass

A great show, and a great way to start the fall. Setlist (feel free to correct) and iPhone photos below.

Litzomania
Long Distance Call
Lasso
Napoleon Says
Armistice
Fences
Girlfriend
Love Like A Sunset
Consolation Prizes
Rally
Run Run Run
Rome
Funky Square Dance
Rome Reprise

Encore:

Playground Love (Air)
If I Ever Feel Better
Too Young
1901