As adamant an advocate I am against eight o'clock shows, I must admit that showing up at a quarter after had no ill effect on my show going experience.  Being that the show was cold sold out, trying to find a place near the stage was impossible.  Taking up refuge behind the sound table, I ultimately ended up finding the most comfortable view in the house, even if it was not the most intimate. 

    As the players of Sufjan's backing band, The Illinoisemakers, filed on the stage, their ornate accoutrements of delicate butterfly wings and feathered costume masks glistened in the lights.  Even on the broad and deep stage of the House of Blues, they seemed a bit cramped with the cumbersome equipment.  As Sufjan entered, donning eagle wings, the masses roared as he began to sigh wistfully into our hearts.

    While many "Illinois" mainstays shone throughout the night, the show stopping "Majesty Snowbird" was certainly the highlight.  When introducing the song, Sufjan dismissed it coyly as, "one of those new songs no one came here to see."  Thanks to my feminine wiles, which basically consist of the ability to ask the sound guy for a set list, I was able to procure the above stage directions.

    Absolutely Indie-tastic. Yes, I said it. INDIE-TASTIC. While their performance in Baton Rouge back in March was most definitely incredible, enjoyable and memorable due to the recruitment of audience members as substitutes for Ted's ailing voice, it did not showcase the fullest sonic incarnation of the band. Last night's show most certainly illustrated that and more.

    While it was laced with the classics we all know and love, more than 50% of the set was new material intertwined with the playful banter Ted has become renowned for. As some crowd member shouted the oh so played out, "FREEBIRD!" between songs, Leo contorted his face into a priceless scowl, retorting with something along the lines of "Almost there man. Give it about two more months and it'll tap into that retrospective humor."

    As for the prevalence of new material in the set, I found it rather comforting, as Ted and crew have been touring mercilessly for the past few years under the flag of their 2004 release "Shake the Sheets." Judging from the promise shown in the new tunes, I expect that their forthcoming album will certainly be one to pick up.

    I actually hung around and spoke with Ted after the show (note the charming pic) and asked him about the new album. He stated that they are actually to begin recording later this month and have no set release date or title as of yet. Wait a moment, did I fail to mention Ted Leo is the nicest guy in Rock and Roll? Oh, right, you already knew that...