Show Review: Jarvis Cocker at The Fillmore, 7/28/09

Jarvis Cocker struts on stage like the king of brit pop he is.  Unlike most musicians/celebrities he is even larger in life than in pictures.  His charisma is almost earth shattering and after about 20 years of performing he really knows how to work the crowd.  His speeches between songs are hilarious and insightful.  He makes it feel really personal, like he’s just talking to you whilst he is running around the stage posing and using the microphone in wonderfully phallic ways.  Before the song “Leftovers” he proclaims “The Iguanodon is not aroused” as he swings the microphone limply.  This was just the beginning of an evening full of quotes and great memories.

If you are a follower of this blog you may have read my less than glowing review of Jarvis Cocker’s most recent album Further Complications.  In fact, I seriously considered not going to the show until Vanessa said “but it’s Jarvis!” and I realized that I should go.  It really doesn’t matter what kind of music Jarvis Cocker plays he is such a consummate performer.  I imagine he could stand on stage reading a crappy historical romance novel and I would be riveted to the spot (actually, that sounds kind of awesome, Jarvis’ management, please take note!).  But live the music is not awful.  After all, hard rock music really is better suited for the energy of a crowd.  Even the virtual instrumental “Pilchard” gained new life live and even became my favourite number of the evening (though this could be due to the fact that beforehand Jarvis said:  Pretend you’re at a birthday party, the kind you would have when you’re 6.  And I’ll be the Dad no one likes and have you follow along to all my moves.  Ready?)

There were really only two low points to the evening.  One was the opening band Wooden Shjips.  I couldn’t describe what their music was other than awful.  They had the bass turned up way too high, especially since the bass lines were overly simplistic and out of place.  They also did not have a look or any sort of showmanship.  I took to texting my friends during their set to try to stay awake.  In those texts I think I summed it all up with “They’re old.  And not in a sexy Jarvis way.”  The other low point was the last song of the set where Jarvis brought Wooden Shjips back on stage for a ridiculously long jam of “In My Eyes.”  It was quite sad really since the song itself is charming, as was Jarvis’ intro, but Jarvis left the stage a good five minutes before the bands finished jamming on the song.  It was not a good close to the evening.

There were many more highlights to evening than two, though most of them had to do with Jarvis himself instead of the music.  He started off the evening concerned about our blood sugar level and handed out pieces from two large chocolate bars insisting that we all share.  He continued the sharing theme every time he had a drink by taking a big swig then handing the rest out to an audience member saying “I’m watching to make sure you share that!”  But the really shining moment was during the encore when a couple next to me handed Jarvis an invitation to their wedding.  He read it out loud then asked them incredulously “so you want me to sing at your wedding!?!”  She said yes so we got an impromptu cover of “Can’t Take my Eyes Off of You.”  By the looks on the happy couple’s faces I’m sure that’s their song now, and it certainly made a night to remember for everyone.

Here is the setlist:

Angela
Further Complications
Leftovers
Slush
Big Julie
I Never Said I Was Deep
Homewrecker!
Fat Children
Black Magic

Encore:
Pilchard
Hold Still
Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You (I Love You Baby)
Don’t Let Him Waste Your Time
In My Eyes (Discosong)

Marie Carney

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