On a rainy night, as Boston's sports fans were crushed by the Bruins' monumental post-season meltdown, its music fans were treated to a rare visit from Mumford & Sons, touring North America in support of their latest album Sigh No More.
In an effort to keep Melophobe's editors up to speed, I tweeted throughout the evening. Below are those tweets, with some commentary thrown in.
6:33 PM - @melophobe: Hello Melophobe! I'll be live-tweeting tonight's concert review. I forgot to bring a pen.
8:13 PM - @melophobe: Central Square, the best, and the worst, that Cambridge has to offer... http://twitpic.com/1ntnt7
10:15 PM - @melophobe: I'll try my best to tweet while holding a half-full can of PBR.
10:18 PM - @melophobe: The scene, Downstairs at The Middle East, Cambridge, Mass. The night, game 7 meltdown by the Bruins.
Doors at the Middle East opened at 8, and The Middle East (I know, I was confused too) took the stage two hours later. But the crowd still had plenty of energy as they took the stage.
10:24 PM - @melophobe: First up, Middle East (no relation) from Australia. We're in for an angsty night, aren't we?
The band seemed a bit moody; perhaps because the crowd was still settling in, perhaps because they're a band of few words, perhaps because they're moody. But they built momentum and quickly had the crowd's full attention.
10:29 PM - @melophobe: The crowd appreciates an energetic first song, fondly remembering listening to Rusted Root freshman year.
OK, there's nothing wrong with a band paying homage to Rusted Root, and Rusted Root doesn't really tour anymore. So it's fine.
10:32 PM - @melophobe: There is a plethora of cowboy shirts in this place.
I wish the cowboy shirt thing would just pass. Full disclosure: I was wearing a cowboy shirt that night.
10:37 PM - @melophobe: "It was 1971, we were not high." At least that's what I think he said. I don't speak Australian.
10:57 PM - @melophobe: Lots of energy coming from the stage, the crowd's into it. The drummer's wearing a hoodie. Not sure how long that will last.
Seriously, how do drummers do it? In a hot and humid venue, under stage lights, how do they wear any more than a t-shirt without burning up?
10:59 PM - @melophobe: Four guitars, trumpet. Too many an instrument? Not if it blends well. #haiku
Four beers in, I still managed to write a haiku. Don't ask me how.
11:02 PM - @melophobe: Eat your heart our Mumford and Sons fans. Middle East serenades with a lush full soulful sound. http://twitpic.com/1nv0lz
11:09 PM - @melophobe: And just like that, without a word, Middle East is off the stage. Well done, class act, well done.
I think they might have said, "Thank you" before running off. I could tell that more than a few fans were caught off guard and would have sent them off with a more rousing ovation otherwise.
11:14 PM - @melophobe: @highholburn thanks for holding my beer.
You can't take your beer outside while taking a smoke break between bands. Good friends will hold your beer and not drink it.
11:20 PM - @melophobe: Coming up, Mumford and Sons.
11:25 PM - @melophobe: @highholburn Says A: They's got passion. B: They have musical talent. C: They have a lot of anger. They win.
My beer-holding friend, summing up why he digs Mumford & Sons. And it's true. They write good songs. They record the shit out of them. They're no joke.
11:33 PM - @melophobe: I can't find @bosconcertphoto I think he's trying to sneak past security.
He was trying his darndest to get into position to snap the great pictures you're seeing here.
11:41 PM - @melophobe: @highholburn says "Where are they? You know they're not showering. Or brushing their teeth. They're British."
Just as he said that, Mumford & Sons took the stage. And unlike The Middle East (I'm not saying better, just different), they came out of the gates swinging with a high-energy, high-recognition tune. And they kept it going, whipping through their repertoire in a flurry of singable melodies and sweaty hair.
11:46 PM - @melophobe: We've got a real show on our hands. Tight band. Crowd alive. Bring it!
11:51 PM - @melophobe: "I have a question. Is it rude to call you Boston when we're in Cambridge?"
11:56 PM - @melophobe: The crowd's singing along, Mumford and Sons singing so hard I can see their neck veins from here.
11:58 PM - @melophobe: Mumford and Sons reminds me of The Commitments, if they hadn't gone Motown.
12:07 AM - @melophobe: Mumford and Sons, making it look easy. http://flic.kr/p/82a5Yk
12:15 AM - @melophobe: I really fucked it up this time; didn't I my dear? High moment of the night. Really.
Everything clicked as they dove into "Little Lion Man."
12:33 AM - @melophobe: Holy shit, Mumford and Sons' banjo player plus a kick ass drummer can really get a crowd riled up.
12:38 AM - @melophobe: The perfect arc of saving the almost best for last. Curtain call?
Yes. Curtain call.
12:46 AM - @melophobe: It's a singalong!
12:20 PM - @melophobe: Great show. Great night. Good night Boston.
It really was.
1:20 AM - @melophobe: I have the hiccups.
I really did.
Mumford & Sons: mumfordandsons.com
The Middle East: themiddleeastmusic.com
