Typically, if I purchased two tickets to a show and only used one, I’d be upset. And, I was, until about two minutes into The Clientele’s set. After an opening instrumental, they broke into my favorite song, “Since K Got Over Me”. As I watched from my seat at the side of the stage with an unobstructed view, I decided I would have gladly paid double for this show again. Lead singer MacLean said something to the effect of, “We’re going to take a long trip down memory lane so I hope you’re ready.” Oh, I was ready. 2005’s Strange Geometry was the album that made me a fan, and they played over half of it. It was 90 minutes of heaven. I think I knew all but two songs, which was honestly unexpected. I was excited to hear the revived version of “Jerry”, a previously unreleased track (available at MOKB) from the Strange Geometry days that was reworked for Minotaur. They rocked it out live. I picked up the new mini-album and it’s great.

I haven’t been able to find an official setlist and some people beat me to the ones onstage, but I think this list is close (well, the first 11 at least…my brain may have imagined the rest).

• Since K Got Over Me
• Harvest Time
• I Wonder Who We Are
• Minotaur
• Jerry
• Bonfires On the Heath
• Bookshop Casanova
• My Own Face Inside The Trees
• The Garden at Night
• I Know I’ll See Your Face
• (I Can’t Seem) To Make You Mine
• Saturday
• Spirit
• E.M.P.T.Y.
• Nighttime
• Six of Spades
• The Violet Hour

The girl sitting next to me seemed to be on her own, too. I assumed an unspoken agreement to hold each other’s seats, so I kind of laughed to myself when she left for the bathroom as soon as I got back, like “okay, my turn”. I had to stare down an old drunk man who sat down near us toward the end. It was the first time I’ve asked someone to be quiet at a show and I had no regrets because he did shut up. Seriously, though, I’d like to enact a citizen’s arrest for people who talk at shows or maybe put up a glass wall and put the talkers behind it. The crowd completely talked over the openers.

The Northern Key

The show was kicked off by local SF band, The Northern Key. I really liked their sound. I’ll be anxious to hear how they evolve over the years. I picked up their album, which is my second local band purchase. I’m happy about supporting that scene. Unfortunately, the album seems to lack their drummer, so it’s a bit too chill. It’s still a pretty album, though…Sufjan Stevens + folk. “Proof” & “Cowboy & Indian” are favorite tracks.

Lay Low

Lay Low, an Icelandic singer-songwriter, along with her multi-instrumentalist friend, were up next. Her voice was gorgeous. Maybe reminds me of Jewel. They were enjoyable but I didn’t fall in love. It was her birthday, though, so that was cool. I think everyone there had the same moment of panic as we neared the “dear <insert name>” part of the Happy Birthday Song and realized we had no idea on her name. Luckily, her friend chimed in on the mic for that part hah.

The show didn’t wrap up until 12:45 AM. Late night, but it was well worth it. I’d love to see another show. Loved it. Tim had some friends hanging out in Marina, so I decided to head toward home and meet up with them for the remaining part of the evening. I was feeling social after having such a great concert experience. I was able to take in a nice view of the city on my walk back to the bus. You can’t tell in my grainy under-exposed rendition but it’s the famous Painted Ladies postcard scene.

Of course, first, Tim sent me to the wrong bar where I meandered about, feeling like an alien in a room full of bro’s & hoochies. In my cargo shirt, denim leggings, & chucks it was like that game, “which of these things is not like the other?”. I had a guy come up and ask me for a high-five, though. His friend then asked, “You are Rachel, right?” He seemed surprised when I said no. I finally made it to the right bar and found the guys (well, I should say guy since I’d only met one of them once before). While I was on the dancefloor, a girl came up to me and asked if I were okay, a weird question to ask the only sober one in a bar at 1:30 AM. With each “yes” I gave her, she followed with another question. “Are you here with friends?” Technically, no…I was here with friends of a friend, but I said, “yes” since my survival instincts of not letting people know you’re alone were kicking in. “With a guy?”, she pressed on. WTF, what’s up with the interrogation, chica? Again, technically, no, but I said, “yes”, and she finally walked away. I thought she might have been hitting on me but then I couldn’t imagine lesbians hanging out in the Marina. Well, I heard her say, “yeah, a guy” after she walked away but I didn’t turn around to see who she gave the report to. Next time, I’ll clarify: “Yes, with a guy who I’m not dating…” just in case she’s reporting back to someone decent. All of this went down within 15 min of being in this neighborhood. I’d just spent 4 hours sitting alone, surrounded by people who were my kind, and not a single person acknowledged me. I’m surrounded by the antithesis of myself for 15 min and I become a fricken exhibition. I felt like a potato during the great famine. Apparently, I finally found a place where my dark & mysterious works! I knew I was on to something by living in an area where I have little in common with anyone else. Heh.