I Was There: The New Pornographers (Exclusive)

Tuesday, May 4th marked one of the greatest days of album releases in 2010. The Morning Of, Minus The Bear, The Hold Steady and Broken Social Scene all had critically acclaimed albums come out.

Another indie super-group, The New Pornographers, released Together on the same day, the band's first release since 2007's Challengers.

Last night, the band played an extremely intimate set at Woodstock's Bearsville Theatre. This theatre, found just outside of the main streets of historic Woodstock, displays the finest acoustics in Woodstock and mimics the small, intimate set-up that Levon Helm has for his Woodstock studio.

What made this show a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was the fact that such a huge act consisting of individuals with great artistic abilities (each member is part of a variety of other musical/art projects) played some of the material for the first time since the recording process - evident with Carl Newman's sheet-music on-stage. Each member had brought their charisma in the form of raw musical talent and their sense of humour in the form of witty, comical stories about the band's career that expands five albums and ten years.

This band, best known for packing outdoor stadiums and indoor venues, played their hearts out for the approximately 250 people that could fit in the venue. The chemistry between each musician and the blending of such musical talent is a feat that only few can attempt and even fewer can master.

The setlist from the show is listed below. The band will be touring the United States in June including a New York City date on June 19 at Terminal 5 and a spot on 2010's Lollapalooza Festival in Chicago.

Up In The Dark
Myriad Harbour
Use It
Crash Years
All The Old Showstoppers
Challengers
Your Hands (Together)
Testament To Youth In Verse
My Shepherd
Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk
These Are The Fables
Jackie, Dressed In Cobras
Moves
Laws Have Changed
Adventures in Solitude
The Spirit of Giving
Mass Romantic
Silver Jenny Dollar
My Slow Descent
Bleeding Heart Show
Spanish Techno
(encore)
Twin Cinema
Jackie

-Nicholas Palumbo