Does Britt Daniel know how incredibly cool he is? He looked every inch a rock star during Spoon’s performance at the Moore Theatre - from his leather jacket and black skinny jeans down to his mod ankle boots but his onstage presence alternated between cock sure swagger and boyish hair tousling shyness, hinting at the vulnerability that pervades their latest release Transference.
Quietly walking on stage alone, Britt simply waved to the audience before picking up his guitar and strumming straight into a solo version of “Me and the Bean.” The rest of the band – Jim Eno, Eric Harvey, and Rob Pope – then joined Britt and started out with a few singles from the new album including “Mystery Zone” and “Written in Reverse.” It wasn’t all about the new stuff however, as this show was like a hit parade featuring favorites from Spoon’s impressive catalog. “Don’t Make Me a Target” showcased Britt’s fifty grit vocals and unusual strumming technique - stiffly holding his hand like a lobster claw and assaulting the guitar strings.
Songs including “Small Stakes” and “The Beast and Dragon, Adored” highlighted Spoon’s precise musicianship and crisp intensity. This is a band known for their minimalist approach to rock and roll and consistently creating pure succinct magic. This show was no different and I would have expected nothing less from the most constant band in indie rock. Their renditions of “The Ghost of You Lingers” and “Is Love Forever” gave us more intimate moments of brilliance with Britt’s pleading questions fueled by the underlying staccato keyboard rhythms. At one point Britt even lit up the bass guitar while Rob Pope was on piano, driving it all onward. Somewhere around mid set they threw in a cover of Wolf Parade’s “Modern World” which was an interesting and unexpected addition.
Seattle’s cool mafia was out in force, most of the audience standing arms folded with hoods up and daring anyone to show signs of their enjoyment. Even during “The Underdog,” undeniably Spoon’s biggest hit and most “pop” song, there was no evidence of recognition and very little dancing. Even without the rowdy horns (for the live show they substitute keyboards instead), how do you not spontaneously break into movement? The riotous chorus is like a tornado forcing you to run for your life, getting you off your ass whether you want to or not. Three minutes in and I was a sweaty mess.
In typical Britt Daniel fashion, he didn’t talk much except to introduce Jim Eno as Charlie Watts (eliciting chuckles from the crowd who appreciated the little joke) and dedicating a few songs to the folks keepin’ it real in the second balcony. Casually sipping from the three Coronas lined up behind him he just got on with his business, tearing the heart out of his lyrics with his lovely scuffed voice.
