The Great Concert Weekend Part 2

As previously mentioned, my WDUB cohort Jon G and are in the midst of seeing both the Long Winters and Sufjan Stevens this weekend in Cincinnati. Here is Part 2 - Sufjan Stevens:

Sufjan was the closing act at the 2007 Music Now Festival, curated by Bryce Dessner of The National and Clogs. After an interesting set by Czech avant-garde duo Irena and Vojtech Havel, Sufjan came on with string quartet, french horn and oboe players, Dessner on guitar, and Shara Worden (aka My Brightest Diamond) on vocals and various instruments. After a "world premire" song about Pluto, Sufjan played stripped down, but equally beautiful versions of tracks mostly off of his last three albums, Michigan, Seven Swans, and Illinois! It was an utterly beautiful show. Standout songs included "Casimir Pulaski Day," "John Wayne Gacy Jr.," and "Seven Swans." After the set was done, Sufjan reluctantly came out and played a stunning accoustic version of "To Be Alone With You" that I'm pretty sure made the girl in front of me cry.


It was a really terrific music weekend overall.
P.S. Grindhouse rocks.