It’s November. Perfect time to watch the Decemberists. Brother Phil – he really is my brother not a member of a Holy Order – accompanied me to this fantastic ‘show’. It was a show. So much more than a gig. Crowd involvement, interaction and rapport was at its best. The new and shiney ABC (2) venue is ideal for a gig. Good size, nice layout, good bar, good sofas. It has air conditioning that works. This was a revelation for me. You didn’t end up roasting and passive smoking the night away. Anyway, back to the band, who played a good combination of tracks from their new album interspersed with older favourites. It was all to climax in the epic stage show that is The Mariner’s Revenge Song (oh no it’s not). Just to say – you had to be there to understand. Good fun and good music. Plus they are another one of these great new bands with loads of members who play loads of different instruments (arcade fire, broken social scene etc.).