BY YVONNE ZUSEL
Let’s get it out of the way right now – yes, the giant whale Decemberists fans have come to hope to see during the band’s live shows did indeed make an appearance during Friday night’s set at the Tabernacle. The wood cutout of the creature moved steadilly across the stage during a dramatic encore performance of “The Mariner’s Revenge Song,” as a burst of confetti fell on the crowd and the audience screamed on cue in mock horror as the tale of the bloodthirsty whale was recounted.
It was just one of many crowd-pleasing moments in a night of crowd-pleasing moments, one of the specialties of the indie rock quintet from Portland.
Helmed by the affable Colin Meloy -- whose ease talking to fans should be a lesson to many of his contemporaries -- the group delivered a nearly two-hour set stuffed with favorites from the seven studio albums they’ve released since 2002, including their latest, 2015’s excellent “What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World.”
The band has dabbled in different musical styles and experimented on their albums over the years, but their sound is so distinctive – in particular, Meloy’s voice – that there’s no mistaking a Decemberists tune for anyone else’s.
The band handles songs as stylistically different as “The Crane Wife” cycle from the album of the same name to the ‘50s doo-wop vibe of “Philomena” equally well live, with Jenny Conlee’s keys and John Moen’s drums adding some musical heft.
Many of the songs but a lovely boost from the backing vocals of Atlanta native Kelly Hogan and Chicagoan Nora O’Connor, who are touring with the band. O’Connor in particular provided a Heart-esque rock growl on “The Wanting Comes In Waves,” from “The Hazards of Love,” one of the highlights of the night.
It’s a testament to the band’s staying power that the audience – mostly in their 30s and 40s -- sang along with nearly every word and gave knowing laughs to the funny throwaway songs Meloy played, including one about convincing his son to eat his oatmeal which eventually turned into “Calamity Song,” and “Dracula’s Daughter,” a jokey jingle from the group’s live album.
Meloy checked in on the crowd about halfway through the show, making sure they were “staying hydrated, moving their knees so they don’t pass out and being kind to their neighbors,” a nice moment from the King of the Hipster Dads.
The band is more grown up, sure, since the release of 2002’s “Castaways and Cutouts,” but they’re no less able to deliver a consistently solid – and really fun – set. They’re playing a second show tonight at Tabernacle – do yourself a favor and find a ticket.
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