The Shins Bring Oh, Inverted World 21st Anniversary Tour To Radio City Music Hall

The Shins‘ Oh, Inverted World 21st Anniversary Tour arrived at the hallowed halls of Radio City Music Hall last night for the first of two New York City shows. Wearing all white, with the album’s artwork behind them, frontman James Mercer and the band tore through the 11 songs that make up the beloved band’s debut album, originally released by Sub Pop Records in 2001.

The opening notes of “Caring Is Creepy” sent a bolt of electricity that didn’t waiver through the next 35 minutes. With help on background vocals from openers Joseph, the album sounded as good as it ever has.

Mercer joked about not being able to hit some of the “New Slang” high notes anymore and that the crowd’s ability to hit them proved they must be aging more gracefully. He also mentioned how “Your Algebra” was one of the hardest to transition to the live setting, but you wouldn’t know it by how amazing it sounded.

Before the last song of the album, “The Past and Pending,” Mercer thanked everyone for coming to the show and recalled playing the songs on the album at Maxwell’s across the river in New Jersey. He explained, back then, just seeing New York City across the river had been enough and that it was thrilling to be playing the songs again in such a historic building. After the album ended the crowd erupted in elation.

As the second half of the show began, the audience was still seated, but during “Phantom Limb” a few people began standing and then the entire crowd got to their feet and stayed there for the rest of the show. The seven-song second half was also highlighted by a rollicking take on “Turn A Square” and “Mine’s Not A High Horse.”

The show ended with a two-song encore of “The Fear” and “Sleeping Lessons,” which included an interlude of Tom Petty’s “American Girl.” Mercer and the band took a bow and had smiles from ear to ear as the crowd went wild.

Openers Joseph should be more well-known for their terrific harmonies and their pure joy of having a blast on stage. Their songs are incredibly catchy and easily get stuck in your head. The voices of the three sisters echoed through the venue with such ease. Their set, while quick, left a lasting impression.

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Setlist

Source: JamBase.com