Bonnie “Prince” Billy – Live @ Buskirk-Chumley Theatre

March 12th was a night of comedy. “Why doesn’t Kentucky Fall into Tennessee?” Will Oldham questioned the sold out crowd. Everyone started looking around to one another searching to see if anyone was whispering the answer. A smile quickly appeared on Oldham’s face as he replied “because Indiana sucks!” Everyone laughed and started to get comfortable as they understood they would be treated by greatness on stage this night.

The adventure started with a two hour drive south to Bloomington, Indiana, a new friend traveling along on the quest to fulfill a dream. The weather was nice but once we arrived in Bloomington it turned very cold and without a coat there is not much you can do about that. We met up with friends at one of my favorite places to grab a bite to eat, The Laughing Planet. The place is heaven and the only eatery where you can find a bathtub in the restroom. I played it safe and got what I know I like, the Hungarian mushroom soup with extra corn bread.

After the quick dinner we braved the cold and walked down two blocks to the Buskirk-Chumley Theater where the performance was being held. When we arrived we did not know what to expect – if it sold out or not – but once we picked up our tickets and walked into the theater, the question was answered. We had to search high and low to find seats way in the back of the venue. Yet after only a few moments the staff started setting up seats in front of the stage and we rushing down and secured our own front row seats to enjoy the set soon to come by Bonnie “Prince” Billy.

When Will Oldham walked out on stage with his four piece backing band, it felt like he had on a mask of seriousness and under the mask was a man that doesn’t take himself too seriously. While the set held a serious tone in its opening segments, it only took a bit for Oldham’s slight on-stage movements to evoke smiles from the crowd. At some moments, life felt like it was at a turning point heading for the heavens when Oldham turned his head to violinist Cheyenne Mize and their words mixing together on the song “The Girl in Me”. It felt like love and that their life’s mission was complete. During the show the crowd of mixed ages from young to old seemed glued to their seats which tamed down the people in the front to feeling bad for the people behind them if they stood up.

As the band exited the stage, we all knew it wasn’t over just yet. With the crowd on their feet for the first time all night, Oldham and Co. kept the fans on their feet. They walked back on stage starting the encore with “Easy Does It” off of Lie Down in the Light. However, the whole show felt a bit off in ways. From the previous shows I had seen in the 616 capacity venue (Deerhoof, AU, Girl Talk), I have never seen a show where people sat though a full performance and it taking the first song of the encore to bring people unglued from their seats and alive with movement. Not saying the “Prince” doesn’t have what it takes anymore. If that was the case I probably would not have talked with people that flew in from London or drove over seven hours from Pittsburgh to witness his first date on tour.

As the encore wound down they sent everyone home with a Stanley Brothers cover called “Nobody’s Darling on Earth,” which each member joined in with a verse of the song and the band members shot smiles and small laughter back to one another during the song. Everyone at the end stayed on their feet just a few more moments’ until it sank in that it was really over. The crowd spilled out onto the sidewalk where people met up with friends and smoked cigarettes talking about the memorable performance that just took place. The night then twisted to an end but seeing Bonnie “Prince” Billy will be something I will never forget. If you get a chance to see him perform, take it.

Related posts:

1. Beach House – Live @ The Waldron Arts Center
2. Parts & Labor – Live @ Jake’s Nightclub

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