Sufjan Stevens is one of those artists that have always been at the very top of my agenda of artists I want to experience live. After waiting for about two years and my hopes steadily dissolving into despair I finally learned about the good news of Sufjan making his way across the big pond to present his new album “The Age of Adz”. This past Sunday the day I had longed for for so long finally arrived. The show commenced with the supporting act DM Stith who appeared to be in awe of the enormous red curtain arching behind him and even more when getting a short glimpse of the vast audience that laughed admirably at his modesty. However, it was only for a second until DM Stith continued with his dreamy folk songs that featured his agile guitar playing style and a vocal loop pedal, creating intricate harmonies that reminded me a little of Jamie Woon. Although he only played four songs it was enough to make a lasting impression on me, inducing the desire to get hold of his music.
When the red curtain was drawn for the first time of that evening, the theater was pitch black and one could slowly hear the strings of a banjo echoing throughout and manifesting itself as the melody of “Seven Swans”. As the song took its course one could hardly deny the fact that this was probably a little inspired by Darren Aronofsky’s Oscar winning movie “The Black Swan” especially when Sufjan literally spread his giant wings at the climax of the song. Additionally one could sense that this was going to be an exceptional night.
What was to follow was the “Age of Adz” album, almost in its entirety and a few tracks of his precursor EP “All delighted people”, briefly interrupted by a cover of R.E.M.’s classic tune “The One I Love” which Sufjan announced as one of his favorite songs. Throughout the show he eloquently elaborated on the meaning of this record, his inspiration, the production process and in what way it differed enormously from his usual song writing process. To accompany the cosmological theme of the show, animated paintings by the self proclaimed prophet and schizophrenic Royal Robertson were displayed in sync with the music on the backdrop. Royal Robertson and his life served as a major inspiration for the Age of Adz, both musically and especially lyrically. He also honored him by writing his surname in neon yellow tape on his guitar.
The show closed with 25-minute long album closer “Impossible Soul” that reached a climax when the entire audience sang along to the words “we can do much more together, it’s not so impossible” giant balloons came raining down from the rooftops and a blissful dance party erupted on stage. You could simply tell that both the audience and the musicians on stage were highly enjoying themselves and the show.
After what felt like ten minutes of constant applauding and jubilant cheering, Sufjan came back on stage, stripped of his neon cosmic suit with a simply green t-shirt and the printing “Say yes to Michigan” signaling that the encore was reserved for the songs that made everyone in the room initially fall in love with Sufjan - songs that prove that an acoustic guitar and a voice so gentle more than suffice for music to captivate its listeners to such an extent.
“Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland”, “Casimir Pulaski Day” and, of course “Chicago” once more revived that feeling that arose from the previous performance of “Impossible Soul”.
