Seriously. Last night’s Polyphonic Spree concert that Schmorgan and I went to was easily the best concert I’ve ever been to. Naturally, it’s impossible to fully describe in mere words, but here are some highlights:

For the first part of It’s the Sun, Tim DeLaughter (lead singer and head of the band) came into the crowd for an “intimate campfire setting.” I was in the circle that formed around him and had a great time singing along with all the other happy fans.

Two words: Confetti Canons. They used them three times during the show, and they also let loose a huge net-full of balloons during one of their songs (a new cover of Live and Let Die).

They closed the concert with an expanded version of The Championship, the epic closer on their latest album, leaving the crowd singing the final words as members of the band trailed off stage until only the harpist remained. It was beautiful.

Of course, they came back for an encore. And back in the robes, too! They started off with Lithium, which was just as phenomenal as the last time I saw them play it, and followed that with the always-amazing When the Fool Becomes a King, and followed that with Light & Day, and followed that with the Sun Machine thing they do sometimes! What a finale!

And oh yes, I got to shake Tim’s hand after the show. :-)

The opening bands were also pretty good. I particularly enjoyed Rooney’s cover of Runaway by Del Shannon, complete with a good imitation of that lovely Musitron sound.

The ER-20 earplugs also proved their worth once again. The volume level was just right (enjoyably rockable, but short of ridiculous), and I didn’t have any ringing in my ears after the show at all.

They played this video while one of the bands was setting up. Watch for great enjoyment.