Spoon At The Fillmore: Night One

Spoon arrived in town yesterday to start their three night run at the Fillmore. We're in for all three nights, and after night one, we can say we're nothing but happy to be catching these shows. Between the long set, a killer horn section, a guest appearance by John Vanderslice, and a balls to the wall performance by the band, we have absolutely no complaints.

Openers The Heavenly States played a fantastic set to start off the night - it was one of the most energetic sets we've seen from an opening band in a really long time. What's more, the band managed to hold the audience's attention through all of the quiet numbers - not always an easy feat. Or, as frontman Ted Nesseth put it: "Wow, you guys are so polite, thanks!" If you're coming out over the next two nights, definitely get there early to see these guys - you won't be sorry.

Spoon's set was a catalogue-traversing adventure, ranging from A Series Of Sneaks, all the way through to a couple of unreleased tunes and some covers in the encore. What's more, the band was supported by a three piece horn section for much of the show. Having the horns there really solidifed tunes like "Jonathan Fisk" and "The Underdog": sure, you can throw some synths out there, but the real thing is a hundred times better.

In the new tunes department, the band played both "Written In Reverse", and "Who Makes You Money?", which as far as we can tell solidifies any questions of these being "full band" songs. Both were on the mark, but clearly still feeling their way to having arrangements that are set in stone. When the audience clapped through a break in one of the songs, Britt Daniel mentioned when they "returned next year" after everyone had "heard the album", that it would all be different. We're not sure if this consitutes an official new album announcement, but it's pretty close. Sweet.

Seeing a band on the first night of a three night run can sometimes be underwhelming, as artists try to conserve energy for the nights ahead. Such was not the case last night, as Daniel came into the encore raring to go. Drenched in sweat, and smiling, he seemed genuinely pleased with the band's first sold out night. In addition to covering Paul Simon's "Peace Like A River", the band brought out an killer version of "Utilitarian", and closed with a cover of the Rolling Stones' "Rocks Off" (real horns appreciated here too, btw).

It's pretty obvious that we here at HAD are downright addicted to Spoon. That being said, these shows at the Fillmore are proving to be something special unto themselves. The band has always had a connection with San Francisco, and last night it showed by the degree to which they played their hearts out. We hope you can get out there over the next two nights (both are now sold out), but if not, stick with us here and we'll keep coming with the updates!

UPDATE: A. Boogie left the setlist in the comments...thanks!

They Never Got You
Don't You Evah
Rhthm + Soul
Stay Don't Go
Jonathon Fisk
The Delicate Place
The Ghost of You Lingers
The Beast and Dragon, Adored
Me and the Bean
I Turn My Camera On
Written in Reverse
Chicago at Night
Who Backs Yr Money
Don't Make Me A Target
Finer Feelings
I Summon You
You Got Yr Cherry Bomb
The Underdog
Black Like Me

Utilitarian
Peace Like A River
The Two Sides of M. Valentine
Rocks Off

Many more photos at the HAD Archive