I first saw Dashboard Confessional in 2001 with a handful of Mass Art kids in a sweltering, soulless gymnasium. We had just suffered through some awful hardcore punk bands, which made Chris Carrabba’s earnest, emotional songs of heartbreak that much sweeter. Like every Dashboard Confessional concert from 2001 to 2010, Carrabba’s presence was somewhat unnecessary. The choir of kids decked in hoodies and converse simply required his guitar to accompany their heartfelt recitation of Carrabba’s wordy lyrics. Catharsis at its purest.
Elated from that glorious sing-along, I hopped on the green line with some of my fellow show-goers. One kid turned to the silent car and asked, “What’s the line about ‘picture frames facing down’?” Collectively we pieced together the lyrics from “The Brilliant Dance,” a subway car of strangers discussing another stranger’s strained relationship.
A decade later, watching Carrabba walk onto the House of Blues stage in front of a few thousand fans, grab his guitar and launch into, “So this is odd/the painful realization that all has gone wrong,” I was sweetly reminded of what it meant to be a Dashboard Confessional fan back then. At the same time, it felt a little bizarre. A lot has changed in ten years. For starters, we’re all, uh, older. Personally, I haven’t had relationship drama since 2001, so catharsis, other than its general purpose of enabling one to feel something, brings little joy to my life. Second, we can all drink alcohol. While that sounds stupid and petty, going to shows when you’re underage is simply a different experience (yes, I once was one of those self-righteous pit kids scoffing at the “fake” fans hovering by the bar).
All this to say, after a decade of writing and touring, Dashboard Confessional’s performances - perhaps simply from the passing of time - are dripping with self-awareness. Dutifully singing old favorites like “The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most” and “Screaming Infidelities,” Carrabba’s pained expression seemed to stem from (self?-)loathing rather than sincerity. And if my interpretation is correct, who can blame him? Ten years ago, I barely could sing with a straight face “As for me, I wish that I was anywhere with anyone, making out,” let alone today, happily married for seven years. That being said, he sang his heart out of “Best Deceptions,” the most passionate sing-along of the night.
Also over time, these shows reveal a touch of weariness. Between songs, Carrabba told two stories - one describing a kleptomaniac girlfriend who inspired “Thick as Thieves” and another about kissing a girl from Massachusetts under the Williamsburg Bridge - which were the same two stories I heard him tell three years ago. The night also brought some painfully off vocals - “As Lovers Go” and the new single “Belle of the Boulevard” particularly suffered.
But enough whining. Chris Carrabba is hands down (ha ha, get it?) the most charming, sweet, gracious performer I’ve ever seen. He can do no wrong (well… I could’ve done without the psychedelic jam-session version of “Remember to Breathe"). He never fails to give his fans that catharsis they want. Case in point, when the band had to cancel their Fall 2009 tour due to a family emergency, Carrabba and John Lefler performed a 13-city acoustic tour to make up for it (download the entire tour here). Further to the band’s graciousness, they continued their tradition of covering a band that’s helped them over the years, inserting a verse from Counting Crows’ “Angels of the Silences” into a song.
Though we’ve lost the original joy of those early Dashboard days, we’ve gained a mature, happier, self-aware musical experience. That’s why “Hands Down,” Dashboard’s biggest hit, is the perfect show closer. With jubilant expressions, the crowd was able to sing about “the happiest day of my life,” as Carrabba put it - no longer lamenting love lost, but celebrating young love at its sweetest.
DOWNLOAD: Dashboard Confessional - The Brilliant Dance (live at Middle East, Cambridge) (MP3) or Follow us for more Dashboard Confessional MP3s (Twitter)
The National - 9/11
Marymoor Ampitheatre
The Black Keys - 10/2
The Paramount Theatre
Broken Social Scene - 10/10
Neumos
Broken Social Scene - 10/15
The Paramount Theatre
It was a great show. The energy was intense. I was lucky enough to be right up front.
by Burt on Thu Sep 2, 2010 at 05.01 pm from the entry: The Avett Brothers + Langhorne Slim - Crystal Ballroom (Portland-town, OR; Aug. 30, 2010)
lovin trackz #4,13, and 16
by Phoxy Philly on Thu Sep 2, 2010 at 04.03 pm from the entry: Chiddy Bang's "The Swelly Express" Mixtape (download)
Nice concerning as better as clarifying position.Gives Thanks for providing for us.I show your article with my delight.
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by jhon on Thu Sep 2, 2010 at 02.35 pm from the entry: Tiny Vipers + Rafael Anton Irisarri + Cars & Trains - Mississippi Studios (Portland; Jul. 14, 2010)
agree with beth! dope stuff on both sides of the review.
by @bosconcertphoto on Wed Sep 1, 2010 at 09.48 am from the entry: DJ /rupture + Tanlines - Whitney Museum (New York, NY; August 27, 2010)
Thanks Nicole!
Just wanted to say that although this may be our last time performing this show, I have many other projects in the works. Info and show schedule is on my website.
- Ben
by Ben Darwish on Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 11.47 pm from the entry: Ben Darwish - Afrobeat Tribute to Michael Jackson - Tractor Tavern (Seattle, WA; August, 29, 2010)
Love these photos and review. So, these DJ sets are at 7:30? I don’t really get it. And are these gonna continue once the Whitney moves? And most importantly, where can I attend an “hour-long clinic on shaking ass?”
by beth on Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 06.44 pm from the entry: DJ /rupture + Tanlines - Whitney Museum (New York, NY; August 27, 2010)
Super post there! Comprehensive and well collated material. Thanks for sharing.
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by jhon on Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 01.56 pm from the entry: Deerhoof + The Donkeys + Southeast Engine - Berbati's Pan (Portland, OR; July 6, 2010)
so ian, judging by that last photo, you were the only guy there?
sweet gig
if you look to the far, far, right there’s a full-sleeve tattooed arm lifted in air (whose owner is also wearing a Dashboard circa 2010 hat), which obscured the other front row male holding a souvenir photo from HOB at dinner with his girlfriend.
Yes, it was mostly women folk in the front, but still lots of room for us sensitive males.
Ian! OMG so you are the annoying guy who wont shut up at any of the shows,, You and your crew are terribly annoying - Im suprised Chris and his crew haven’t taken a restraining order out on you creepy people yet..