Sufjan Stevens + My Brightest Diamond at the Lakewood Theater

Sufjan and friends made their first ever trip to Dallas for last night's sold out show at Lakewood Theater. Sufjan's opener and label-mate, My Brightest Diamond, called the show a "homecoming" of sorts, as Shara Worden is a UNT grad. Her 90 year old grandfather was even in attendance, and everyone in the crowd seemed to fall in love with Ms. Worden. If you haven't checked out her album, Bring Me the Workhorse, I highly recommend it.

My Brightest Diamond Something of an End mp3

As I mentioned last night, Sufjan and his band of 15 came out dressed as various winged creatures, as Sufjan seems to have developed an obsession with birds. He said he's been working on a series of songs about birds, and the only new song they played ("Majesty, Snowbird") was a beautiful orchestral number, with an anthemic chorus. Can't wait to hear the recorded version of that. The setlist was evenly divided between Seven Swans, Michigan, and Illinoise, with Sufjan taking turns on the banjo, the piano, and an acoustic guitar.

Sufjan Stevens Sister mp3

Go here to view a video I shot of Sufjan's encore, a performance of "The Dress Looks Nice on You," sans eagle wings. The video quality isn't great, but the sound is decent, and ladies and Mr. Anon, you get to see Sufjan in a muscle shirt...the kid has been working out!

Click "read more" link to view the rest of the photos and to see the full setlist...

Setlist:

1. sister
2. casimir pulaski day
3. detroit, lift up your weary head
4. the lord god bird
5. dear mr. supercomputer
6. the transfiguration
7. jacksonville
8. predatory wasp of the palisades
9. john wayne gacy, jr.
10. a good man is hard to find
11. majesty, snowbird
12. seven swans
13. chicago
encore
14. the dress looks nice on you