I have to be honest. I struggled with writing this review. Usually I talk about setlist; what songs were played and when and why and whether or not they disappointed me. But as often is the case with All Tomorrow’s Parties (the festival that prides itself on being unusual), Sufjan Stevens set would be one-of-a-kind. The audience was already aware, several days before heading up to the Catskills, that he had decided to play his album Seven Swans in entirety from beginning to end. At first I was taken aback. No “Chicago” or “Flint (For the Unemployed and Underpaid)”? Then I stopped. I thought of all the soft lullabies Seven Swans contained. I played the album straight-thru, as I had not listened to it in quite a while. The realization hit me that not only was this Sufjan’s first performance in two years but my first time seeing one of my favorite musicians perform live. (I had been so sure he would show up to Dark Was the Night. Alas, that certainty was all in vain.) AND that I was getting to experience an entire album as it was meant to be heard, right there in front of me.
This set started at 1:30 PM on Saturday afternoon, kicking off the 2nd day of the festival. By 12:30 a line had already started to form. While press usually turns its nose up at such stuff (lines?! pish posh), you bet your booty I hopped right on that thing. I was taking no chances. The result was that Nate, who attended with me, and I ended up being about 3 ft. away from the stage. Sufjan walked out and explained his album choice by claiming it was the “hangover special.” Then he picked up his banjo and launched straight into “All the Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands.”
Now, there are many bands I enjoy and many artists I feel passionate about, but hardly any come close to Sufjan Stevens- a musician who represents why I love music so much. Stevens has a gift for melody that is almost genius. He can see patterns and harmony emerge from notes in a way that is almost mathematical; one of those rare, gifted people who has the ability to see a composition form where others are unable to make heads or tails of structure. Nate pointed out to me that while I was positively giddy before the show started, once it had begun I spent the entire time stock-still, staring intently, with eyes three times larger than normal. I now hold an extra special place in my heart for “Sister” as it reminds me of the relationship between me and my little brother.
Some might be discouraged by the religious imagery that is particularly prevelant on Seven Swans. (It does run throughout the entire bulk of Stevens’ work, but takes the forefront on this album.) I would suggest listening with an open heart. Not for religious reasons of any sort, but because it is so hands-down beautiful.
Unfortunately there were no videos to accompany Seven Swans, so enjoy “Wolverine” off the state album Michigan in the meantime.
