Pavement + Jenny & Johnny ::: Ogden Theatre ::: 09.09.10

Over eleven years of patience has finally yielded huge dividends.I nervously anticipated last night’s performance by Pavement with a knotted stomach (I partially blame the pain to the High Life that I guzzled earlier). The magical night was to have taken place way over yonder (the 1st Bank Center on I-36), but due to slow ticket sales, the show wasn’t canceled, but moved to the comfy confines of the Ogden Theatre on Colfax (15th St as Bob Nastanovich astutely pointed out). Christmas had come early and the 2 hour+ set saw Matador’s brightest act shine brightly to a sold-out crowd singing along with Stephen Malkmus to their favorite Pavement tunes. As much as I love Bob Nastanovich (group rabble-rouser) , the sometimes horse betting extraordinaire was a bit overkill with the random between song banter and over the top rabble-rousing antics. Malkmus wasn’t ashamed to admit his dislike for autumn weather and also asked if the crowd has seen the Rockies’ Chris Nelson steal home in the afternoon day game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies. The guys covered Nirvana’s “Lithium” towards the latter part of their set, only to cut it short by segwaying into “Box-Elder”. All the flack the guys have taken over the last couple years of being slackers can be dismissed. The cohesive unit put together looked well rehearsed and the only thing that kept them off key was Nastanovich pounding on his tambourine like that one person at church on Sundays that’s sometimes off-key. Did anybody else notice the Mile High Music Festival 2008 shirt Malkmus was sporting? The night’s setlist played like a “Best-Of” release which was to be expected. What else are reunion shows suppose to be like? All my favorites were played, from “Father to a Sister of Thought” to “Spit on a Stranger”,   and all that’s left is for the guys to decide on is whether they’re going to hit the studio or call it quits. Again.

Pavement live @ Pitchfork Music Festival 07.18.10 [mp3] (it’s a long file, so be patient)
Jenny & Johnny-Scissor Runner [mp3]

Pavement

Pavement “Lithium” Nirvana Cover

Jenny & Johnny