REVIEW: The Magnetic Fields @ Buskirk-Chumley Theatre (Bloomington) 3/5
Monday, March 8th, 2010
Where to even begin. May as well start from the beginning, since that’s where things generally originate. I will be telling you about the Magnetic Fields concert that took place on Friday. What I won’t be doing is giving you a history of The Magnetic Fields, a group of fine musicians whose talents have been recorded both in audio and visual formats for almost 20 years. Why don’t you find that out for yourself, then you’ll be rewarding yourself with the witty, insightful lyrics and tones of Stephin Merritt, the soothing vocals of Claudia Gonson and Shirley Simms, and the strings of John Woo and Sam Davol. This collective quintet brought their beautiful and charming music to the classy Buskirk-Chumley Theatre in Bloomington, Indiana on Friday to an attentive audience.
Though I had never been to this theatre, I immediately fell in love with it right when I entered. Not a big venue by any means, but not too small either. It was the perfect size for The Magnetic Fields, and the stage fit them superbly. It was as though the stage was made for specifically for them, and they commented on how they felt like they were performing in a movie theatre. It was like we the audience were watching a well choreographed play, with perfect sound and playful banter between songs. They were all on the same page making quips back and forth. Without waiting a millisecond from Claudia asking if everyone was prepared for the next song by querying, “Ready?” Stephin, without breaking stride, proclaimed, “No.” with the most deadpan of expressions. Then right into the song they went. Someone please let me know if there is a collection of quotes and comments that Stephin has made during performances, I would love to read it. I believe my favourite quote of the evening was after one person yelped out in appreciation of a song they just finished, and Claudia said, “The folk, it comes in all forms.” To which Stephin replied, “Like a pervert in a manikin factory.” Hilarity ensued.
As for the songs from the evening, I do not have a complete setlist. Sorry. However, a few of my favourites from the night were great renditions of Acoustic Guitar, All The Umbrellas In London, You And Me And The Moon, and Kiss Me Like You Mean It. As well as quite a lot from their newest endeavor, Realism, and even some tracks from The 6ths, all of which sounded great inside the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre. The acoustics sounded amazing, you were able to hear every little detail of the instruments and vocals. After 50 minutes of playing through “Set B” as they called it, everyone took a 15 minute “coincidental break” as it was said. When we all arrived back in our seated positions inside the quaint theatre, Stephin welcomed us all back by saying, “You again?”. Yes, it was us again. Where else would we want to be? I, for one, cannot think of another place I would have rather been.
More blurry pictures below the break:
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