Joanna Newsom Show Review & Photo Gallery – The Vic Theatre

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Written By: Derek Walker
April 3, 2010
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There’s a skit on “Tim and Eric Awesome Show: Great Job” that has inspired much of my mental madness, and I fear the day when the dance inspired by it actually makes its way into my daily movements. The sketch is relatively tame for the shock-and-aww, yuck comedians – nobody bleeds or defecates themselves – but what it lacks in gross-out humor, it more than makes up for in awkward sweatshirt dancing. And, as I wore my marigold sweatshirt to Joanna Newsom’s performance at Chicago’s Vic Theatre Saturday night, I was this close to busting a move. THE move. “Pumpers like to pump/Pumpers need to pump/Pumpers be pumpin’/Let’s pumper.”

But I didn’t. Restraining myself, I knew I was on a job, so there was to be no drinking, no smoking of “the drugs,” no punching Andy Samberg in the face and certainly no dancing like Eric Wareheim. I was more than excited to be there, yes, but duty calls more than booty calls, and tonight was no time to make an ass of myself. Oh, and did I mention “SNL’s” Andy Samberg was there? More on that later.

The Vic had been sold out for weeks in anticipation of the lovely Joanna Newsom, who recently added a two-hour triple album, “Have One On Me,” to her already impressive discography. The record, released February on Chicago label Drag City, showcases her range as a vocalist and musician, somehow topping her last release, the highly-touted “Ys.” Around 1400 fans from all over the Midwest packed the venue, filling the pit and balcony to its capacity. But there was something, um, different about these fans – they didn’t blow like normal fans. Instead, they were kind of good. Kind of real good.

I’ve been to many a concert in my day, but rarely have I ever witnessed a crowd so enthusiastic and so dedicated to the evening’s performer. I mean, Justin Bieber was here last week, but his fanbase is all 12-year-old girls; Newsom’s fanbase is only partly 12-year-old girls. There’s a difference. And what a difference it made, as every song, every movement by the harpist drew a heavy glance and an “ooh,” every song’s conclusion drawing a gracious round of applause. And Newsom, not one to be ungrateful, made sure everyone in attendance went home happy and with a heart full of indie rock princess love. Fans, band members, tour managers and sound technicians all got a shout out from her, but can you guess who didn’t? That’s right: Andy Samberg. He just sat there in his elevated balcony clapping along after every song like some regular person or something. One fan even shouted, “Is Andy Samberg in the audience?” I temped a fast “Yes, look up and to your right. No, your other right. Yeah, that’s the one,” to the young lady, but I refrained. I wish I hadn’t.

It’s not like she didn’t deserve the kudos. I’ve been to many a concert in my day, but never have I witnessed a performance as lengthy and moving as this one. Newsom, a couple members of her “Ys Street Band” and others ran through around 15 songs totaling over two hours of stage time. The evening led off with two new songs off “Have One On Me” – the slow but heady “Jackrabbits” and a wonderful, re-imagined rendition of the album’s title track. The focus was notably on the new record – as it should have been – but a number of oldies squeezed their way onto the set list. “The Book Of Right-On” drew uproarious approval from listeners, while “Inflammatory Writ” and “Monkey & Bear” nearly stole the show; but it was the new “Good Intentions Paving Company” which drew the most recognition. After receiving considerable buzz on sites like Pitchfork, the piano medley comes off sounding a little like Trolley’s theme song on “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” and more so in person. But is that a bad thing? Hell no, it isn’t. Mr. Rogers rules. If anything, I think more of Newsom’s works should play on PBS programming. Sixteen-minute cover of “Sunny Day,” anyone? She could even play piano alongside the sweater-wearing Bob McGrath. (Do you think he knows the “Tumbler” dance?)

Other songs included “Kingfisher” and encores “Baby Birch” and “Peach, Plum, Pear.” In addition to shouldering a harp twice her size for what had to feel like an eternity, Newsom included witty fits of banter into her set. Perhaps not intentionally. Opening act Robin Pecknold, out with an illness, received a great deal of riffing, while audience members shouting things at the stage became a running theme of the show. “Play in L.A.,” one fan yelled, to which Newsom responded, “Play in L.A.? Of all the notions!” It was quick one-liners that kept the mood between harp-tuning sessions. Two separate Q&A’s were held, both receiving a mixture of actual questions and drunken heckling. “You should make another triple album,” said a fan, to which Newsom quipped, “How do you know I haven’t already?”

Combining stage presence, spectacular playing and her own inflammatory wit, the two-plus hours I spent daydreaming about marrying Joanna Newsom were the best I’ve had in quite some time. I loved every minute of it. Not enough to pull my sweater sleeves over my head in jubilation, but enough. The audience, too, loved it (enough for some people to bring flowers). And, Andy Samberg, I’m pretty sure, loved it. Now, there’s a guy with a big bouquet of flowers. Not to sound like that blond surfer dude on “TMZ,” but I caught Andy on the balcony with like, six dozen roses and a cup of coffee.

I’m guessing the coffee was for him.