by Matt Kelchner
It may not actually be fall yet but it sure feels like it. Schools are back in session, mornings are a bit more crisp and the leaves have even began to lose their color. But technically we are still in summer. Months ago when local boys Dr. Dog first announced their “Lawn of Mann” show at the Mann Center, we were expecting it to be a fantastic show. But what we got was something much more. Dr. Dog gave summer one last hurrah in an epic, career spanning, 24 song night.
Hop Along (all photos by Matt Kelchner)
On top of the incredible performance put on by the headliners, the support enlisted for the night was equally great. Kicking things off for the night were another local group, Hop Along. Led by singer/guitarist Frances Quinlan, the band tore through a hook-laden and heartfelt set that included a few cuts from their 2012 album Get Disowned, including their standout single “Tibetan Pop Stars”. The passing rainstorm that threatened the concert managed to break up right before Hop Along the stage. As the clouds dispersed and the sun started to poke through, it provided for the perfect backdrop for the band.
The Front Bottoms
Almost as soon as Hop Along said their goodbyes and began moving their gear off the stage, fans seemingly from every corner of the Mann Center began pushing their way to the stage for The Front Bottoms. Their following is filled with some the most devoted fans out there and that night was a perfect example of such. With inflatable letters of their initials and wacky tube men behind them, The Front Bottoms ripped through a set that was a non stop sing-along from the very beginning. While every song sounded like it was a crowd favorite, some of the hardest hitting tunes were “Flashlight”, “Beers” and “Au Revoir”. Fans were able to take a collective breath as singer Brian Sella waved goodbye to the fans and thanked them for coming out in such a strong force.
Mac Demarco
The longer the night went on, the more fanatic the concertgoers became. Or so it seemed. As indie darling and goofball Mac Demarco and his band began to take the stage, fans began to chant his name. Not one note had been played before this happened. In a set filled with plenty of off the wall stage banter, Demarco managed to make the most of his time while on stage. The night was filled with hits such as “Salad Days”, “Blue Boy”, “Let Her Go” and even a cover of “Du Hast”. Towards the end of his final song, “Together”, Demarco took a running leap and dove into the crowd, clearing the almost six feet of the barricade between the stage and audience. Just another unpredictable set from the indie world’s new darling!
Set after set, each one of the bands built up to the perfect ending. Musically, pairing the three together along with Dr. Dog might not make perfect sense, but it worked wonders giving the crowd a full plate. With that said and as good as Hop Along, The Front Bottoms and Mac Demarco were, it was Dr. Dog’s night. The stage was dressed with a jungle of various plants. The lighting was dynamic. And most of all, Dr. Dog came to own the show. In their massive set, they reached as far back as their 2005 release, Easy Beat. We have included the setlist below because we could spend several pages just talking about it. There is one thing we would like to point out though, a seven song encore! Check it out below to see if they played your favorite song.
Dr. Dog
Dr. Dog played with such energy and command on stage, it was easy to see that they are ready to make the leap to the next level of stardom. For a night that was called “Lawn of Mann” it should have taken the title “Lawn of Dog” because the hometown guys owned the night. It was a night filled with dancing, drinking and arm in arm singing, Dr. Dog played the perfect end to summer. Here’s to fall!
To view the photo album from the entire evening, head on over to our Facebook page.
Dr. Dog – The Mann Center – 9/13/14
My Old Ways
These Days
That Old Black Hole
Distant Light
Phenomenon
Fate
Heavy Light
Broken Heart
Long Way Down
Lonesome
The Truth
Army of Ancients
Be The Void
The Ark
Livin’ A Dream
Heart It Races (Architecture in Helsinki cover)
We All Belong
Encore:
Rock N’ Roll
Today
How Long Must I Wait
Nelly
Too Weak to Ramble
Shadow People
Wake Up
