“Okay, okay,” you’re thinking to yourself, “I’ve been to a Magnetic Fields show before, and so Stephin Merritt’s always just a jerk. So what? Old News.” Well, you’d be half right about that. Yes, the guy has made a reputation (and possible marketing gimmick) out of being all blasé, drone-voiced, contradictory, and curmudgeonly on stage. But think about it here: this is your chance to see Stephin Merritt be a jerk… in THE FALL! Yes, he and his band of slightly less-jerks, the Magnetic Fields, have announced that they’ll be playing some US dates this fall in support of this year’s slightly-less-awesome Love at the Bottom of the Sea (TMT Review), and Merritt will probably be his droll-but-jerky self all over again in the crisp, blithe air of an exciting new meteorological season of tantalizing possibilities! That means that you can be made to feel like a fool for applauding while beautiful, multi-colored leaves gracefully slip from their branches just outside the auditorium, or listen to the melancholy strains of “The Dolls’ Tea Party” in the wake of the recent US presidential elections! It’ll be like a brand new experience!
Still not convinced? Well hows about if I were to tell you that, according the band’s website, select performances will also be treated to “a special opening reading by novelist Emma Straub, also known as The Mag Fields’ merch gal extraordinaire!”? You don’t get that kind of treat every time, now do you? And if one-on-one crowd-abuse is more your thing, the band has announced that more dates for September and October are fixing to announce themselves soon, including a few Stephin Merritt solo gigs, so you can really switch it up this time and get the full brunt of an annoyed Merritt who can’t stand the sight of you! There’s really something for everyone here.
Magnetic Fields Tour Fall 2012: Get Yelled at …in the Fall!
10.25.12 - Hudson, NY - Helsinki Hudson
11.14.12 - St. Louis, MO - Sheldon Concert Hall
11.15.12 - Detroit, MI - The Redford Theatre *
11.16.12 - Pittsburgh, PA - Carnegie Lecture Hall *
11.17-18.12 - Washington, DC - Sixth & I Synagogue *
* Emma Straub
• Magnetic Fields: http://houseoftomorrow.com
&bull: Merge: http://www.mergerecords.com
• Emma Straub: http://www.emmastraub.net
More about: The Magnetic Fields
