Bonnaroo scene report #5: Okkervil kills!
By Michael Corcoran | Sunday, June 14, 2009, 05:53 PM

“We are from the state of Texas and the city of Austin,” Okkervil River frontman Will Sheff announced near the end of an astonishing set that did our burg proud. “Lost Coastlines,” with an extended banjo intro by Lauren Gurgiolo, had the crowd of about 2,000 clapping their hands over their heads, and the closing couplet of “Our Life Is Not a Movie” and “Unless Its Kicks” caused waves of delirium.

Sheff has developed quite a flair for dramatic pause and effect, with “A Girl In Port” building to a climax and “John Allyn Smith Sails” delivering mightily on the seque to “Sloop John B,” which Sheff sang like this is the last show of a tour. The crowd sang back parts of “For Real” as Sheff rocked out on his acoustic.

But Sheff and his Arcade Fire-like band of multi-instrumentalists were just as dynamic on quieter moments, creating grandiocity without big strokes. Sheff dropped imaginary walls and curtains around the confusingly-named “Other Tent” (as opposed to “This Tent” and “That Tent”) on a solo acoustic “A Stone.” As Sheff sang “You love a stone/ You love white veins/ you love hard grey/ the heaviest weight/ the clumsiest shape/ the earthiest smell/ the hollowest tone” the rest of the fest was drowned out by the boldly naked moment.

Among the other highlights was “Westfall,” from the first record, which moved back and forth between “Paint It Black” by the Stones.

Pure and simple, Okkervil River destroyed on the last afternoon of Bonnaroo. Their fans sang every word, the passersby stopped passing.

Talking to Sheff after the set, he said the band was nervous, yet energized, by the presence of Bruce Springsteen at stage right for the entire 90 minutes. “The Boss” complimented the Okkervillians and hung out with them for awhile. “He told us how much he’s been enjoying touring these days,” said Sheff, “because there’s only so much time.” Springsteen was later spotted taking in Neko Case’s set.

(Ed. note: Springsteen also joined final night headliner Phish on stage for performances of Mack Rice’s “Mustang Sally” and his own tunes “Bobby Jean” and “Glory Days.”)

Okkervil River tapes “Austin City Limits” for the first time Thursday. Then they’ll go into the studio to make an album with Roky Erickson.

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