The Church, Long Island, NY, April 23, 2010

Normally I save the efforts of this music blog to give less-well-known artists some exposure, but last night I had the once-in-a-lifetime chance to be a part of The Church's 30th anniversary tour of the USA. Not only did they come to New York, but they came quite close to my home on Long Island, NY, to a small performing arts center in Bay Shore, a lovely little town on the south shore of the island. Steve, Pete, Tim, and Marty gave a spellbinding performance of a song each from every one of their main albums over the past 30 years, plus 3 songs in an encore that we, the small but adoring crowd, cheered and hollered for, earnestly. I'm sure The Church felt the love. Each band member changed up instruments many times throughout, and one was no less perfect and commanding than another, at any time. It was also more than just their music: they talked to each other and to the audience, and entertained us in so many charming ways. The music of The Church, be it ever-changing over the years, is always complex, superbly-composed, dreamy, far-reaching, beautifully atmospheric and captivating. I was ecstatic, and honored, to be a part of this very special event.

The set list from that performance:
Pangaea
Space Needle
Reptile (jazzy)
Ionian Blues
The Unguarded Moment
Appalatia
Invisible
Louisiana
Come Down
My Little Problem
Mistress
Metropolis (Spanish-style)
Under The Milky Way
Already Yesterday
10,000 Miles
Fly
Almost With You
Tear It All Away
encore:
Disarm (Smashing Pumpkins cover)
Space Saviour
Grind