“Let’s take it to the patio!,” is the unlikliest of rock battle cries. If you hear Decemberists frontman Colin Meloy yell this, however, you follow that man and his band to the patio prepared to bask in musical talent. Alas, I’m getting ahead of myself.

Standing outside in the oppressive Texas heat hours before the show started, the far-reaching line of Decemberists fans hoping/waiting to get into The Mohawk made me reflect on two concepts. First, the opportunity to see The Decemberists for free in a venue as intimate as The Mohawk is truly priceless and it’s an experience worth waiting for under any condition or circumstance. Second, MySpace is grossly misappropriating the word “secret” in describing their Secret Show series.

Peforming without a setlist, Meloy encouraged the audience for requests and the band seemed more than happy to give the crowd a show loaded with fan favorites. Starting the show with “July, July!” was a risky proposition considering the crowd had just sweltered for hours under the titular month’s sun, but it was immediately clear that few things are hotter than The Decemberists’ performing live. Standouts from the improvised set included “O Valencia!”, “Eli, the Barrow Boy”, and “16 Military Wives” to name a few.

Culminating the evening’s atmosphere of fun and spontaneity was Meloy’s encore declaration that they should move the show outside. Congregating under the night sky in the patio area of The Mohawk, showgoers excitedly circled the jubilant band for an encore performance of “The Mariner’s Revenge Song” unlike any other. Although crowd-participation has usually been incorporated into live peformances of the song, the audience transformed into a rollicking backup chorus swaying like the sea and playfully yelling on cue. The singalong served not only as the perfect climax for the night, but as a memorable musical moment for all in attendance.

Video of the performance, more photos, and MP3s follow.

MP3s:
“July, July!”
“Sons & Daughters”

VIDEO:
Coming Soon!

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