Pete Yorn

@ Mississippi Nights 4/9/02

While most St. Louisans were crowded in Busch Stadium, the Savvis Center or their local sports bar to root for the home team, a proud few got to see a rock show that they will soon not forget.

Pete Yorn has been touring almost nonstop across the country ever since the release of his debut album Musicforthemorningafter, headlining the first MTV2 handpicked tour last summer and sharing a bill with Remy Zero last winter.

Opening for Yorn was the British prog-rock group (aren’t they all?) Elbow.

One of many, many groups labeled “The New Radiohead,” Elbow had seen great success in their native land after their latest album, Asleep in the Back, was nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2001.

In the States, however, they are just another weird English band with a new album to support.

When people called them the new Radiohead, they weren’t kidding. Their sound is cerebral and complicated, yet atmospheric and beautiful-reminiscent of a young Pink Floyd.

Unfortunately, the sound system at Mississippi Nights couldn’t handle what Elbow sent out, and at times the music bordered on cacophonic. When the band finally eased off, they truly shined.

One of the high points of the set was the track “New Born,” which is off Asleep in the Back.

It was dedicated to their usual drummer’s new child (the drummer was on loan from the Stereo MC’s). Unlike the other tracks that were driven by the bass and keyboards, this song was mostly done on acoustic guitar. By the end, the singer was up off his stool screaming into the mike, as the other members tried their best to keep up with him-and they succeeded.

After the usual wait between bands, Yorn entered the stage with his backing band, Dirty Bird. Almost his entire face was covered by his long and gangly hair, and what wasn’t covered by that was under his 5 o’clock shadow.

He opened with “Black” and “Nancy (`Cos it Already Is),” which got the seemingly reserved audience on their feet and bopping around immediately.

This is what distinguishes him from most other singer-songwriters: He can actually write a song that people can rock to.

He then toned it down with the slow and powerful “On Your Side” and a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Atlantic City,” which just featured Yorn and his guitar.

This was followed by the spare yet emotive “Simonize.”

By this time, he had the audience in the palm of his hand.

Once everyone was nice and relaxed, Yorn turned up the energy with “Strange Condition” and crowd-favorite “Life on a Chain.” The crowd yet again went wild. This reached a peak when the band did a blistering cover of David Bowie and Iggy Pop’s “China Girl.” And with that, Yorn left the stage.

With the crowd chanting his name in unison, Yorn returned for a solo acoustic version of “EZ.”

The rest of the band then returned for a rockabilly version of “Just Another” and a cover of the Smiths’ “Panic.” Yorn then closed the show with the energy-filled “Murray” that left the audience salivating for more.

The only unfortunate part of the concert is the realization that the next time Yorn comes around, he’ll probably be in a larger, less intimate like the Pageant or, dare I say, the Savvis Center.