Hometown heroes The New Pornographers returned to the Commodore Ballroom this weekend touring their new album Whiteout Conditions. The bad news is, Neko Case wasn't on the tour (I don't think I've seen her perform with the band since 2011, sadly) but the good news is, we did get an appearance from Dan Bejar. I don't think he was with them for the full tour, but living in Vancouver has its perks as he popped in for a few of his songs.

The seven members came on stage and launched immediately into "The Jessica Numbers" off Twin Cinema, before the title track for Whiteout Conditions, for a set that spanned all seven albums. The power pop hit hard with AC Newman's voice blending nicely with Kathryn Calder, not only singing her own songs but filling in nicely for Case's parts. This was also the first time I had seen the band with touring member Simi Stone on violin, who also provided backing vocals, and stepping into the spotlight for "Play Money". In true Bejar fashion, he would only pop out for his songs, but immediately captivated the crowd who was happy to see him there.

The rarely-played (according to Newman after the song) "Myriad Harbour" got over huge with the packed room, and other highlights of the set included the soaring "High Ticket Attraction", the explosive "Dancehall Domine", and the classic "Testament To Youth In Verse", witheveryone's voice soaring together singing "No no no..."
As they finished the main set with the bombastic "Mass Romantic", I was slightly disappointed they didn't play either of two particular songs... until they started the encore with Kathryn Calder's beautiful and heartbreaking vocals on "Adventures in Solitude", and then ended the night with not just one of my favourite New Pornos songs, but one of my favourites period, "The Bleeding Heart Show". The cacophonous rise to an emotional crescendo was a perfect way to end the night.

setlist
The Jessica Numbers
Whiteout Conditions
Myriad Harbour
Dancehall Domine
Moves
The Laws Have Changed
High Ticket Attractions
War On the East Coast
Champions of Red Wine
All the Old Showstoppers
This is the World of the Theatre
Spanish Techno
Colosseums
Jackie, Dressed in Cobras
Play Money
Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk
Use It
Avalanche Alley
Testament to Youth in Verse
Mass Romantic
(encore)
Adventures in Solitude
Brill Bruisers
The Bleeding Heart Show