So I saw Sufjan last night at the Beacon Theater in New York City! It was my first time ever seeing him in concert because I got into him during the off-season between Adz and Carrie and Lowell (which are sort of currently competing for my fave Sufjan record, lol).
He played the entirety of Carrie and Lowell (first in order, then he switched it up a bit when he played John My Beloved after Eugene - he also opened with Redford from the Michigan album, I felt he kinda used transitions from his other albums in between songs, most notably Michigan - possibly because it’s about his home state and Carrie and Lowell is a reflection on his life and relationship with his mother and family?), and then ‘The Owl and The Tanager’ from All Delighted People, some from Seven Swans and some from Michigan. The encore was entirely Illinois (tbh, I didn’t really care about hearing him do Chicago live, but I’m kinda glad I did because the way he performed it was wonderful).
I really love the way he incorporated lights and set design in general into his performance. I think its great Sufjan really cares about creating a live experience with his music during his shows. Every song had some sort of planned transition incorporating the lights, performers, and sound itself.
He didn’t talk much, but Sufjan is a really sweet person. I kinda already knew this, as I think we all know this, because he is probably one of the most thoughtful and genuine people I’ve ever had the chance of encountering. My favorite part is when he commented on the fact that he didn’t use his banjo much during the show, stating ‘The banjo’s upset because its been feeling neglected’ and then holding it, he said ‘there you go little friend’. Sufjan/Banjo is legit.
Some other moments I liked is the crowd laughing during the line ‘and he called me Subaru’ as Sufjan performed Eugene alone on stage. It was really adorable. Also the fact he added heavy drums, and electronic sound to some of the Carrie & Lowell pieces - the live rendition of Fourth of July (the best song on Carrie & Lowell, I will fight you if you say otherwise) was amazing because of this.
Anyways, I’m still super emotional because I love Sufjan so much and got to see him live. He’s honestly one of the great loves of my life, and when he told the audience ‘I love you’, I like to pretend he was speaking to me specifically, but the fact that he even said that was such a Sufjan thing in general. I still feel very warm inside because of this whole experience.
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