I Just Read About That…

[ATTENDED: September 21, 2024] Stars

I have been a fan of Stars since about 2004.  I finally got to see them on their Christmas tour of 2022.  Singer Torq said that they would definitely be back for a Christmas tour the following year (they weren’t) and they didn’t do one in 2024 either.  But instead they did this: a 20th anniversary of Set Yourself on Fire, the album that introduced me to the band and which I love.  So yes, I was going to this one, too.

No surprises in the setlist then.

Instead it was a great band playing a great album

Amy Millan and Torquil Campbell sounded great and their onstage rapport is always amazing together–like (sometimes jilted) lovers (although they are not).

The rest of the band has remained the same for 20+ years.  Last tour I learned that bassist Evan Cranley and guitarist Chris Seligman are the main composers of Stars’ music. They repeat a riff or tune until something develops, and then Campbell and Amy Millan write lyrics.  (This according to Wikipedia).

Drummer Pat McGee and lead guitarist Chris McCarron were joined by a violin and sax player for some of the songs.

I’ve often thought of Campbell as the main singer (with Millan getting the best and most memorable parts of the songs), but I didn’t realize how many songs Amy sings lead on–and her voice sounds amazing.  I’ve considered her solo work but I think she veers into country vibes too much.

As like last time, Campbell is a fantastic front man.  He is engaging and funny (thank you, darlings) and gets everyone to sing and clap along.  He told little anecdotes about recording the album and presumed we knew what was coming next (we did).

I’ve always been an album listener.  I listen to music from start to finish, so I tend to really enjoy these album tours (even though I know some people don’t).  I love hearing the rare track that has never been played before.  I love hearing the songs in the order they’re supposed to go.  I have listened to Set Yourself on Fire straight through so many times that it was all I wanted when the set was over

Of course, the album is only 45 minutes or so, so I assumed there would be more.  And there was!

They didn’t leave the stage–this wasn’t an encore.  They played a few bangers for us, like

Hold On,” a song that features such a gorgeous melody line from Amy that the room kind of took off when she sang it.    It also features a crowd-pumping verse

Take the weakest thing in you
And then beat the bastards with it
And always hold on when you get love
So you can let go when you give it

Even though I know albums well, I don’t always know what album a song comes from, so I had forgotten all about “Take Me to the Riot” one of my favorite songs of all time.  And I’m so happy they played it again (last time blew me away and this time was just as exciting).

This little segment was seven songs and was like a mini greatest hits.  Including he gorgeous Pretenders from the new album.  They ended the set proper with “Elevator Love Letter” a song that is far more rousing than I ever remember it being.   Everyone sang along to the “take me home” line while Torquil played the melodica (for the third or so time that night).

That seemed like it but they came back for an actual encore.

Last time they played My Favourite Book because it was a Patreon request.  This time they played it because it is wonderful.  I usually like to hear different songs in a set than in a previous show, but I can listen to this song a million times.

They played one more song from the new album and then ended with an older song that they didn’t play last time.

It was an amazing show, full of emotion and passion.  From the band and the audience.  I love seeing Stars so much that I feel mad at myself for not seeing them a dozen times before this.  I do hope they don’t stop touring anytime soon.

After last year’s show when they announced that Patreon supports were invited to a meet and greet after the show, I joined their Patreon.  It turned out that this year’s meet and greet was way before the show at a pub or something, so I didn’t go to that.    But it was fun being part of their community for a couple of months anyhow.

 

Λ single 2022
∇ From Capelton Hill 2022
¶ LaGuardia (The Best of Stars) 2019
‰ There Is No Love in Fluorescent Light 2017
Ø No One Is Lost 2014
⇑ The North 2012 
Ö The Five Ghosts 2010
⊗ In Our Bedroom After the War 2007
≅ Set Yourself on Fire 2004
♥ Heart 2003   
♦ Nightsongs 2001