Adventures in Solitude - New Pornographers 12/11/07

-Last night I went to a free New Pornographers at the Apple Store in SoHo. It's the fourth time I've seen them in 2007 (5th overall) but this was the first time I've ever seen an in-store performance, the first time I've ever seen a concert by myself and the first time seeing them sober.
-I'm usually not one to do something like this by myself. I did once go to the movies alone. All my friends saw Black Hawk Down before me and I guess it was a very important movie for me to see before it came out on DVD, so I tried that. Didn't like it much. So for me to actually get on a train and go into NYC myself was pretty out of character. I probably would have only done it for The New Pornographers...or any movie with helicopters.
-I got to the Apple Store at about 6:30ish. I was a little nervous approaching the store because I saw a line of people that started to bend around the corner but it was only about 45-50 people deep. A guy from the Apple Store gave me a bracelet and told me that it guaranteed my spot in the show but not my place in line. A minute later a girl with a British accent was on line (the queue) behind me talking on her cell phone. Just curious to see what she looked like since accents are awesome, I did the "stretching my back" turnaround. Let down.
-After about an hour and a half, they let us in. There were only 80-90 seats so I was lucky enough to get one on the good side of the stage where Neko Case stands. I had to be careful here. It was such an intimate setting that she probably could probably see me if she looked into the crowd. I had to keep my staring problem in check. Easier said than done when she's on stage.
-The show lasted pretty much an hour which apparently is a long time for an in-store. It was 10 songs plus an encore. The only weird thing was that the Apple Store hooked up a camera and projected the show on the screen behind them but with about a 2 second delay. It started out as an annoyance but soon became a pretty funny part of the show with the band commenting on it throughout the set.
-All in all it was definately worth going. I learned that I can go to a concert and not drink, I learned that not everyone with an accent is going to be attractive and I learned I can go out and enjoy a form of entertainment by myself. I might even try a movie again one day...maybe if they do a Fire Birds sequel or bring Airwolf to the big screen.

Setlist:
1. All The Things That Go To Make Heaven and Earth
2. Use It
3. All The Old Showstoppers
4. Challengers
5. My Rights Versus Yours
6. Adventures in Solitude
7. The Laws Have Changed
8.Unguided
9. Sing Me Spanish Techno
10. Don't Bring Me Down (ELO cover)
Encore
11. Bleeding Heart Show