The band ably proved that on their first-ever show in Colorado Springs. The crowd of several hundred masked and vaxxed fans needed that enthusiasm. The band followed Jason Isbell’s model of asking venue to institute COVID-19 restrictions or cancel if they didn’t. The Black Sheep acquiesced.
At first it seemed like a boondoggle – the socially distanced line stretched a block or more from The Black Sheep. Once the system started, it moved smoothly. For a 400-capacity venue like The Black Sheep, it didn't take long at all to wipe out the line.
The band had never played Colorado Springs before, and Darnielle expressed gratitude for the chance despite the return of pandemic restrictions.
The night opened with Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards, a fun fiddle-based group with cello and standup bass. They played fast and loose through about 30 minutes of well-constructed songs.
The Goats came out roaring, blazing a path for the rest of the night. Only a purist would know every song, as they are a prolific group.
The set had a few strong numbers from Dark in Here, the most recent and third album the prolific group dropped during the pandemic. Along with the title track, they dropped in The Slow Parts on Death Metal Albums and The New Hydra Collection.
After their energetic opening, Darnielle played solo for five songs, an appropriate diversion since Darnielle was the Mountain Goats’ lone member for years.
After talking about what had to happen for the show to go on, he talked about the need for unity, a transition into a union fight song sung to the melody of When Johnny Comes Marching Home.
He also delved into his songwriting and the notebooks he fills with thoughts from a busy mind. When he introduced a song he found in an old notebook and wondered why it took years to emerge from his journald. “What was wrong with that one? A bird probably flew by,” he said of forgetting usable lyrics.
When band has the discography like the Mountain Goats, unexpected moments will arrive, such as Heel Turn 2 from Beat the Champ, Darnielle’s love letter to professional wrestling.
The band spread out songs from across its career, not playing more than four songs from any album and digging into the breadth of 20 years’ work. In a small club with masked up crowd, the Mountain Goats knew how to lightened the mood as needed.
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