The vastness of the Fox Theater in Oakland can probably be intimidating to any group of artists, much less a solo performer. I’ve seen several solo acts grace this stage and not since Grouper’s emotional opening set for Animal Collective had I seen such a well thought out and sweet performance as Bachelorette’s opening slot for The Magnetic Fields. First off let me preface by saying Magnetic Fields audiences are the most calm, polite, and considerate crowds I have had the pleasure to encounter. I had little trouble maneuvering my way to score a good spot to see the New Zealand singer/songwriter Annabel Alpers aka Bachelorette.
Bachelorette
Bachelorette
Her music was perfect for the dense melancholy that filled the room of TMF fans. Psych-pop isn’t an easy sell for such a large audience too. But paired with minimalistic projections and a modest amount of lights, Alpers was able to display her complex and heavily layered synth to the Oakland crowd without difficulty. The show mainly displayed songs from her 2011 self titled album, which are not unlike her past EPs and albums. However, this time around, songs like Polarity Party and The Last Boat’s Leaving are loaded with late-Bjork influence, both harmonically and spacial. Each song played like a theme to a road trip across the universe or a soundtrack to new discoveries from the Hubble telescope. The setlist wasn’t without a few songs from 2007′s Isolation Loops, which is a more space folk side of Alpers and a nice segway into the march for the lonely that is Magnetic Fields.
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Bachelorette – Blanket from Bachelorette (2011)
The Magnetic Fields
The Magnetic Fields
I like my fair share of lyrical wit and clever songwriting, but for some reason The Magnetic Fields never struck a chord in me. And to no fault but my own, their live show didn’t help me much. While I recognize the genius behind the 69 Love Songs series and the impressive Realism; the music never resonated with how I felt about love, loss, and the humor behind it all. Don’t get me wrong though, the dry banter and gravitas from Stephin Merritt was not unlike his vocals in his often humorous and simple singing style, which was quite enjoyable. While Stephin received most of the cheers that night, it was refreshing to hear Claudia Gonson perform Reno Dakota and Come Back From San Francisco.
The Magnetic Fields
There’s no question The Magnetic Fields are a staple in true orchestrated songwriter-pop music and still hold that crown firmly to their brows. Their music has never been ornate or flashy, just a good genuine doleful testament to the stories behind heartbreak and life’s weirdness.
Setlist
I Die
A Chicken With Its Head Cut Off
Your Girlfriend’s Face
Reno Dakota
Come Back From San Francisco
No One Will Ever Love You
I’ve Run Away to Join The Fairies
Plant White Roses
Drive on, Driver
My Husband’s Pied-A-Terre
Time Enough for Rocking When We’re Old
The Horrible Party
Smoke and Mirrors
Goin’ Back to the Country
Andrew in Drag
Quick!
Busby Berkeley Dreams
Boa Constrictor
The Book of Love
Fear of Trains
You Must Be Out of Your Mind
Grand Canyon
Swinging London
It’s Only Time
Smile! No One Cares How You Feel (The Gothic Archies cover)
Encore:
Tar-Heel Boy
Forever and a Day
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The Magnetic Fields – The Book Of Love from 69 Love Songs, Vol. 1 (1999)