Our last show of this trip…we played a free show at Millennium Park with the Grant Park Orchestra to kick off the Metro’s (which is a great club here) 25th anniversary. The venue was this huge Frank Gehry-designed “thunder dome” with massive beams radiating out from the stage, over the seating and back over the park, while holding huge remote speakers. Sort of like a convertible basketball stadium.

As it was a free show, loads of folks came…I heard the number 20,000 being kicked around (how do they count that?). It was a part of another concert series which means many people there who are classical music fans my grandmothers age vs. our fans who want to have a good time and jump around. At the end of the show Colin invited everyone up to the front of the stage which caused a ton of security to rush the stage as well, causing a mini-riot. I have to admit, I prefer the kids up close then the “wine and cheese vibe” of those sitting down. So it goes.

Today my family is here, as well as family I left behind in Chicago…we’re going to eat hot dogs and go to the aquarium…the rest of the band is flying home where we will play a show back in Portland in a few days [EDITOR’S NOTE: I’m behind schedule posting this]. Can’t wait to get back as usual. It’s been really fun recounting the days events with you. Have a splendid summer!

—Chris Funk

Links:
Decemberists.com
Decemberspace

Photos: Not sure who took ‘em. Email cjarman at wweek dot com if you did. What a beautiful venue
!