Straight off the hot-as-hell Brooklyn album release show, Speedy Ortiz packed Great Scott front to back to celebrate one of 2013’s greatest releases. They had help from friends Ethan Marsh (who performed standup comedy between sets) Karl of Kal Marks (who played a beautifully toned down acoustic set), Vegans and Grass is Green to start the party.
When Speedy Ortiz took the stage, everyone was ready to celebrate with them. They started with the first track off Major Arcana, “Pioneer Spine,” and played the album through track by track until “MKVI.” Highlights of the set included friend-filled sing alongs to singles like “Tiger Tank” and “No Below”; an all-out dance party began at “Fun” and carried through the rest of the rowdy night. Speedy Ortiz’s Matt Robidoux even joined in the stage diving fun towards the end of the night with his guitar and all, feeding the audience his guitar and pedals to help play along with the song.
The night didn’t end with the final song of Major Arcana as frontwoman Sadie Dupuis called out requests to the audience on what to end the night. Shouts of various songs could be heard from the stage, most prominently “Indoor Soccer,” which was the final decision. Everyone thought the night was over, but the band quickly started back with “Hexxy,” one of Speedy Ortiz’s oldest, most infectious and catchy songs.
The night was perfect, and it was possibly the best night of their lives. With all of Speedy Ortiz’s recent achievements, it has been amazing to watch this talented foursome gain respect in the music community outside of Boston and Northampton’s doors to the rest of the United States and beyond. (I see Facebook comments of people asking if their tour is stopping in the UK!!!) I’m sitting in my Allston apartment listening to Major Arcana on repeat, and I may be a little overly emotional, but I’m getting teary-eyed. What level will Speedy Ortiz achieve in the Super Mario of life next?
Speedy Ortiz heads out on tour for six weeks to a city near you. Check their Facebook page and LiveJournal for tour updates.
